It seems that Donald Trump is well aware of how to extinguish the ongoing wildfires around Los Angeles. However, he remains silent, preoccupied with labeling California’s officials as “incompetent” and failing to offer any real assistance.

In a social media post this past Sunday, the president-elect made a strikingly unhelpful statement:

“The fires are still raging in L.A. The incompetent politicians have no clue how to stop them. Thousands of beautiful homes have been lost, and many more will likely follow. There is widespread devastation. This is one of the worst disasters in our nation’s history. They just can’t control the fires. What’s wrong with them?”

Indeed, what is their problem? And why do they seem unable to manage and extinguish the unprecedented and deadly fires that Trump apparently has the solutions for?

Trump exploits California’s disaster while contributing nothing

Putting aside Trump’s crude framing of what he considers “one of the worst disasters in our nation’s history,” and ignoring his prioritization of “magnificent homes” over the actual loss of life, his comments reveal a lack of empathy and a dismal display of leadership.

Instead of calling for national unity, visiting California as a gesture of solidarity, or – here’s a thought – using his rumored wealth to provide assistance, Trump is maintaining his infamous persona. His new ally, Elon Musk, possesses enough resources to rebuild entire communities and still have funds left over to buy and disrupt numerous social media platforms.

Instead, Trump is holed up at his golf resort in Florida, occasionally tweeting unkind remarks, likely fearing that if he doesn’t continue to voice something controversial, he may activate some semblance of thought.

Could Trump actually have a solution for the LA wildfires?

While some may interpret Trump’s harsh comments as strong and visionary, let’s focus on a key part of his message: “They just can’t control the fires. What’s wrong with them?”

So tell us, Mr. President-elect. What’s the solution you propose? Suggesting there’s an issue with their efforts implies you possess insights that they don’t have. Or perhaps the way to combat the fires is so apparent that those “incompetent politicians” simply fail to see it.

We eagerly await your guidance, President Trump, before more “magnificent homes are lost.” (Note that over 20 lives have already been claimed by these fires, although your concern seems purely focused on property.)

If Trump can resolve the Ukraine war in ‘a single day,’ he ought to be able to extinguish a fire

It’s been widely noted that you believe you can end the conflict in Ukraine “in just one day.”

You’ve also asserted you know how to swiftly reduce grocery and general prices: “Prices will drop. Just wait. They will decrease rapidly, affecting everything, including insurance.”

And we believe you’ll handle illegal immigration with the same speed.

During your rally at Madison Square Garden, you proclaimed: “On Day 1, I will initiate the largest deportation plan in American history to remove criminals. I will save every city and town that has been invaded, confining these dangerous criminals to jail, and expelling them from our country as quickly as possible.”

Why doesn’t President-elect Trump personally take action against the California wildfires?

You clearly understand a great deal about how to tackle exceptionally complex issues, so why are you not taking your private jet to California to effectively and swiftly combat the deadly wildfires?

Why are you hiding away in your lavish estate, posting negative comments online? Don’t you care about all the property being destroyed?

Please, President-elect Trump, utilize your immense intelligence and resources to help the American people affected by these wildfires.

What’s stopping you???

Connect with columnist Rex Huppke on Bluesky at @rexhuppke.bsky.social and on Facebook at facebook.com/RexIsAJerk