Mel Gibson, having lost his home in the devastating Palisades Fire, publicly blames Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass for “gross mismanagement” while championing a formal recall effort against California’s leadership.
Key Takeaways
- Mel Gibson has joined the Saving California organization to recall Governor Newsom after losing his home in the Palisades Fire that killed 29 people and destroyed thousands of structures.
- Gibson, recently appointed as a special ambassador to Hollywood by President Trump, criticized both Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass for failing to prevent the catastrophic wildfires.
- The recall effort requires 1.5 million signatures within 160 days to qualify for the ballot, making it only the second such attempt to reach voters after Gray Davis’s successful recall in 2003.
- Gibson cited not only wildfire mismanagement but also rampant crime, acute homelessness, and inflation driving the film industry away from California.
- Despite the destruction, Gibson has committed to staying in California while working with fellow Hollywood conservatives like Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone to address state challenges.
Hollywood Icon Leads Charge Against Newsom Following Wildfire Devastation
Actor Mel Gibson has launched a scathing criticism of California’s leadership while throwing his support behind efforts to recall Governor Gavin Newsom. Speaking at a press conference in Altadena with the Saving California organization, Gibson expressed outrage over the state’s handling of recent wildfires that destroyed his home and caused widespread devastation. The Palisades and Eaton fires, which began on January 7, burned over 37,000 acres, destroyed thousands of structures, and resulted in 29 deaths, creating one of the most destructive wildfire events in recent California history.
“We deserve much more and much better, and there is absolutely no adequate excuse the governor or mayor can make for this gross mismanagement and failure to preemptively deal with what they knew was coming,” said Mel Gibson, actor and director.
Gibson, who was recently appointed as a special ambassador to Hollywood by President Trump, directed particular criticism toward both Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. He questioned whether their failure to adequately prepare for the seasonally expected fire dangers was due to “incompetence, indifference, complacency, carelessness, or negligence.” The recall effort, led by Randy Economy as chair of Saving California, requires collecting 1.5 million valid signatures within 160 days to qualify for the ballot.
Beyond Wildfires: Gibson Points to Broader California Decline
While the devastating fires served as the immediate catalyst for Gibson’s involvement, his criticism extends to broader issues facing California. During his impassioned address, Gibson highlighted how the once-thriving film industry hub has deteriorated under current leadership. The actor emphasized that despite many celebrities choosing to leave California due to deteriorating conditions, he remains committed to fighting for change within the state rather than abandoning it to further decline. “A lot of people have left, and I don’t blame them. It didn’t suit them anymore. Even … people who were liberal, it didn’t suit them anymore. But if everybody leaves, what’s going to happen?” – Mel Gibson
Gibson plans to collaborate with other Hollywood conservatives like Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone to address challenges facing both the state and the entertainment industry. His critique points to systematic failures in governance that extend beyond environmental management to public safety and economic stability. The actor noted that even liberals have been fleeing the state in recent years, but questioned what would happen if everyone simply left rather than fighting for change.
Recall Faces Uphill Battle Despite Celebrity Support
While Gibson’s high-profile support has brought renewed attention to the recall effort, significant challenges remain. Newsom’s office has dismissed the campaign as politically motivated, noting that similar attempts have repeatedly failed. Nathan Click, a spokesperson for the governor, emphasized that Newsom remains focused on recovery from the fires rather than political distractions. This marks the eighth attempt to recall Newsom since 2019, with only one previously reaching the ballot — a 2021 effort that Newsom successfully defeated.
During the press conference, Gibson made a point to praise the firefighters who battled the blazes, distinguishing between their heroic efforts and what he characterized as leadership failures. “The firefighters, I have to say they were practically in tears. You know why? Because they thought they had let us down. I want to say loudly right here: You did not let us down,” Gibson stated emphatically. He has also called for federal investigation into state management practices if federal aid is to be provided to California for disaster relief.
The recall effort continues to gather momentum as organizers work against the clock to collect the necessary signatures. If successful, it would mark only the second time in California history that a gubernatorial recall reaches the ballot, following the successful recall of Governor Gray Davis in 2003 that led to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s election. For Gibson and other supporters, the campaign represents not just opposition to current leadership but a fight for California’s future amid escalating natural disasters and declining quality of life.
