In an official briefing with President Joe Biden, California Gov. Gavin Newsom sparked controversy by focusing on the issue of social media misinformation while wildfires devastated parts of his state.

Newsom's management of the wildfire crisis and his focus on supposed disinformation during a presidential briefing drew sharp criticism, especially from political figures and social media commentators, as the Daily Mail reports.

The discussion took place in a remote video call hosted in the Oval Office. Newsom, along with Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, aimed to address various crisis aspects.

Newsom argued that his conversations with constituents were adversely impacted by the spread of misinformation on social media.

"It infects real people that are out there, people I meet with every single day," he remarked, underscoring the misinformation's widespread effect.

However, critics claimed that Newsom prioritized discussions on misinformation over immediate wildfire containment efforts, perceiving it as a diversion from more pressing issues.

High Profile Criticism Amid Emergency Situations

During the briefing, criticism wasn't reserved only for Newsom. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faced public scrutiny after a viral video showed her ignoring queries regarding firefighter budget cuts. This added to the overall atmosphere of dissatisfaction with the state's leadership.

The critiques extended beyond Newsom's focus on misinformation. President-elect Donald Trump chimed in, heavily criticizing Newsom's water management policies and fire prevention strategies. "Governor Gavin Newscum should immediately go to Northern California and open up the water main, and let the water flow into his dry, starving, burning State, instead of having it go out into the Pacific Ocean," Trump asserted.

Trump further emphasized the urgency of the situation with a call for immediate action, highlighting that it was "ALREADY FAR TOO LATE!" for excuses from the California governor.

Response from Biden and Defense of California's Leadership

Despite the criticism, Biden defended Newsom and Bass. He attributed part of the wildfire exacerbation to climate change and pointed out issues with utilities. "Give me a break. What this is all about is utilities understandably," Biden explained, linking some of the crisis to utility failures that impacted water supplies.

Biden also advocated for transparency from governmental bodies, urging political leaders to openly communicate about capabilities and limitations in addressing such crises. "Let them know what we can and can't do. We have to let people know that there are going to be things coming that are going to be available," Biden stated.

Back in the briefing, Newsom acknowledged the dual challenge of battling the wildfires and countering the whirlwind of misinformation surrounding state management's responses. "I ask you, we gotta deal with this misinformation, there are hurricane-force winds of mis and disinformation, lies, people who want to divide this country and we're going to have to address that as well," he expressed to Biden.

Public Reaction and Social Media Commentary

Critical voices echoed across social media platforms. Rep. Wesley Hunt criticized Newsom for his perceived focus away from immediate disaster response. "Disgraced Governor, Gavin Newsom, is more concerned about fighting misinformation, than helping Californians," Hunt posted on X.

The backlash included commentary from various social media influencers. Comedian Bridget Phetasy candidly expressed her concerns, "I get a chill down my spine every time I hear a politician say we 'have to deal with this misinformation.'"

Some went as far as to call for direct political consequences for Newsom. Breaking911, a popular social media account, starkly noted, "Gavin Newsom needs to RESIGN," reflecting a severe critique of his leadership amid the crisis.

Newsom's Reception and Ongoing Challenges

Newsom also faced personal incidents reflecting public dissatisfaction. A viral video captured him evading a local mother's questions by pretending to be on a call, which did not sit well with the public perception of his engagement during the crisis.

The governor continued in his briefing remarks to emphasize the heartbreaking impact of the combined crises on Californians. "It breaks my heart as people are suffering and struggling [and] that we're up against those hurricane forces as well," he said, articulating a sentiment of frustration and helplessness faced by many across the state.

As California battles both natural and informational fires, the effectiveness of its leadership remains under scrutiny, reflecting a broader challenge of governance in times of crisis and misinformation.