As LA Burns, Trump (of course) Fans the Flames

Lies, Conspiracies, and the Destruction of National Trust

Words fail as we watch Los Angeles battle wind-whipped fires consuming entire neighborhoods. There was a time when catastrophes like this brought people together. Not so today, as Donald Trump, on the brink of assuming the presidency, seeks to divide us with lies.

As the fires rage, Trump has falsely blamed California Governor Gavin "Newscum" (his offensive term) and his supposed water policies for the disaster. The problem? The policy Trump referenced doesn’t exist. Firefighters have been hampered not by a lack of water but by infrastructure designed for house fires, not urban wildfires.

Trump’s blame-filled rants are fueling conspiracy theories. One circulating online claims liberal arsonists started the fires to draw attention to climate change. This type of baseless claim gains traction among Trump’s followers because he has conditioned them to accept outlandish accusations against political rivals.

In his divisive response, Trump is exploiting a long-standing issue: Americans' declining trust in institutions. According to a recent Gallup Poll measuring public confidence in institutions, the downward trend is striking:

Great deal of confidence:

• Religion: 2001: 23% | 2024: 13%

• Big Business: 2001: 10% | 2024: 6%

• Supreme Court: 2001: 32% | 2024: 13%

• Banks: 2001: 17% | 2024: 12%

• Newspapers: 2001: 13% | 2024: 7%

• Congress: 2001: 10% | 2024: 4%

• TV News: 2001: 14% | 2024: 6%

• The Presidency: 2001: 26% | 2024: 13%

Another report by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) compared Americans’ trust in each other. In 1972, 46% of respondents believed “most people can be trusted.” By 2022, that number had dropped to 25%.

This is where Trump’s influence looms large. His movement has been built on popular mistrust—not just in institutions but in fellow citizens. He reinforces his "only I can fix it" narrative, the foundation of his autocratic ambitions. We've seen this pattern before. After Hurricane Helene devastated North Carolina, Trump attacked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), falsely claiming it diverted disaster relief funds to house undocumented immigrants. He also misleadingly suggested FEMA would provide hurricane victims with only $750 each—though this figure was specifically for emergency supplies, with much greater aid to follow.

It’s important to acknowledge that the trend of declining trust predates Trump. Yet while he didn’t create the problem, he has undeniably worsened it. Disasters—storms, fires, perhaps earthquakes—are inevitable. Will we be called upon to come together and support our fellow citizens? I fear not. We must brace for four more years of growing mistrust—of our government and each other—emanating from the highest office.

However, there is hope. We have seen throughout history that times of crisis can also bring out the best in people. Communities have the power to rise above divisive rhetoric and come together to support those in need. By fostering open dialogue, seeking the truth, and holding leaders accountable, we can begin to rebuild trust. It starts with each of us, in our communities, rejecting fear and embracing compassion. Together, we can work toward a more united and resilient future.

This will not be something that will change overnight, and we must keep in mind that it took decades to erode trust, it may take decades to rebuild it. History, however, is not usually defined by extreme movements, but by slow glacial change. This is what we must commit to.