In a new video report, MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas breaks down California Governor Gavin Newsom's powerful response to attacks from Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. The right-wing disinformation machine launched a massive coordinated campaign to spread lies and sow discord amid the California wildfires, but Newsom’s rapid response provides a template for other leaders navigating today’s (dis)information landscape.
Newsom calls out Trump for his immature name-calling and misinformation campaigns, emphasizing that such behavior undermines efforts to support relief operations for California communities. This ad-free YouTube experience is exclusively available to Meidas+ subscribers.
Trump, along with other MAGA officials and influencers like Ted Cruz, has been spreading blatant lies—including claims that Newsom’s policies left the state unprepared by limiting water access and cutting firefighter funding. Newsom directly refutes these lies, calling them baseless and harmful. He urges empathy and action, standing in stark contrast to the obstructionist and hateful rhetoric coming from Republicans in D.C.
Meiselas highlights the challenges Newsom faces in countering a relentless barrage of misinformation during a crisis. He praises Newsom’s strategic messaging while also demonstrating how disinformation campaigns—even from anonymous online accounts—complicate recovery efforts and harm the very people who need help the most.
Newsom’s tireless advocacy for federal disaster aid amid an unprecedented crisis, despite threats of conditional or withheld aid from politicians in Washington, underscores what real leadership looks like.
Watch the full report ad-free above!
We don’t have billionaire investors. Become a subscriber today to support independent pro-democracy media.
Share this post