Actor Michael Rapaport voiced strong criticism of California Governor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday, accusing the Democratic leader of focusing on politics instead of addressing the state’s ongoing wildfire crisis. In a video posted to Instagram, the 54-year-old actor sharply condemned Newsom’s handling of the fires that have devastated Southern California, destroying thousands of homes and forcing mass evacuations.
In his video, Rapaport targeted Newsom’s recent comments about “Trump-proofing” California, arguing that the governor should instead be prioritizing wildfire prevention and response. “You’re talking about Trump this, Trump that. He’s not even president,” Rapaport said, referencing former President Donald Trump. “There’s no more mistakes for you, you’re done!” he added, in a heated statement that mocked Newsom’s leadership during the crisis.
The “Only Murders in the Building” actor has been a vocal critic of both Democrats and Republicans in the past, having criticized Trump as well as Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 election cycle. However, his recent remarks were squarely directed at Newsom, whom he also referred to as “Gavin with the good hair” and sarcastically described as “Nancy’s nephew,” an apparent nod to former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Rapaport’s remarks highlighted frustrations over what he characterized as misplaced priorities and inadequate leadership during the wildfires.
Gavin with the good hair Newsom
aka Nancy’s Nephew blew it, there’s no learning curve, resign #GavinNewsom #CaliforniaWildfires @iamrapaport pic.twitter.com/eTFHA7diwh— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) January 14, 2025
Rapaport’s criticism joins a growing chorus of frustration from public figures about Newsom’s response to the fires. Last week, Rhea Durham, the wife of actor Mark Wahlberg, also criticized Newsom, posting a photo on Instagram that showed the governor laughing at a base camp for firefighters battling the Palisades Fire in Malibu. In the since-deleted post, Durham questioned Newsom’s demeanor, writing, “Why is the Governor of C.A standing around laughing like he’s at a tailgate???”
The wildfires, which began last Tuesday, have caused widespread destruction, burning thousands of structures, forcing mass evacuations, and claiming lives. Officials report that high winds and dry vegetation have worsened the fires’ rapid spread, making containment efforts more difficult. As of this week, firefighters remain on the ground attempting to control the blazes while evacuation orders and warnings continue to affect large portions of Los Angeles County.
Governor Newsom’s office responded to criticism of his leadership, with his communications director, Izzy Gardon, defending his actions. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Gardon said, “Anyone who’s been through a tragedy knows there are lighthearted moments and moments of sorrow, as the governor has witnessed himself on the ground in Los Angeles over the past three days, meeting countless firefighters, first responders, and victims of this tragedy.”
The ongoing fires have brought renewed scrutiny of the state’s preparation and response to natural disasters, as well as its broader approach to wildfire prevention. Critics of Newsom’s administration have pointed to what they see as a lack of sufficient forest management and an emphasis on long-term climate policies over immediate fire prevention efforts.
As firefighters continue their efforts to contain the wildfires, public figures like Rapaport and Durham have used their platforms to amplify concerns about the state’s leadership during the crisis. Whether this criticism will result in changes to California’s wildfire response remains to be seen, but it has drawn significant attention to the political and operational challenges facing the state.
