The ongoing fires in Los Angeles have already claimed 25 lives, destroyed over 12,000 structures, and scorched 40,000 acres of land.

As the fires continue to devastate the city, upwards of 200,000 residents have been evacuated.

Authorities are still working to recover the remains of victims from the ashes.

A Startling Claim on Tucker Carlson’s Show

Tucker Carlson was taken aback when investigative reporter Michael Shellenberger suggested that meth addicts might be starting fires across Los Angeles out of sheer nihilism.

Shellenberger, who Carlson referred to as “one of the best reporters in America,” appeared on the host’s talk show to discuss the fires, which have been burning for over a week.

Shellenberger criticized local politicians, particularly California’s Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, for their lack of competence in handling the crisis.

He went on to explain that homeless people, often addicted to methamphetamine, are known to start fires, with many of the blazes in the area being linked to drug use.

The Link Between Meth and Fires

According to Shellenberger, methamphetamine is the “drug of nihilism,” driving its users into dangerous behaviors.

He claimed that “half of all fires” in Los Angeles over the years have been sparked by the homeless community.

Carlson, in disbelief, asked whether these fires could be linked to addicts cooking meth.

Shellenberger agreed, adding that meth-induced psychosis and psychopathy lead many addicts to take a disturbing interest in fire.

The discussion took a darker turn when Shellenberger called the behavior “Satanic,” further blaming local Democrats for failing to address the homelessness and drug crises.

Los Angeles Leadership Under Fire

As the fires rage on, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing criticism for her overseas trip to Ghana while the fires were breaking out.

Bass was aware of the heightened risk of fires, as forecasters had been warning of extreme fire conditions days before her departure.

When asked if she would have taken the trip in hindsight, Bass initially hesitated and then admitted, “No.”

The mayor’s actions have led to a backlash from the public, especially as she continues to evade accountability regarding the fire response.

The Fire Department Faces Years of Neglect

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) is battling both fires and the effects of years of underfunding.

Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has repeatedly warned of the department’s understaffing, and how budget cuts have left the LAFD struggling to cope with the growing dangers of fires.

In 2024, Bass approved a $17.6 million cut to the LAFD’s budget, leaving the department ill-equipped to deal with the crisis at hand.

The Scale of the Devastation

As of now, four major fires are burning across Los Angeles, with two of them still largely uncontained.

The Palisades fire, which has burned through 23,713 acres, is only 17% contained, and authorities have already recovered eight bodies from the wreckage.

The Eaton fire, which has decimated parts of Pasadena and Altadena, has caused significant destruction, leaving at least 16 people dead and thousands of homes destroyed.

Among the casualties is the home of singer Mandy Moore, which was engulfed by the flames.

As fire crews continue their efforts, the death toll is expected to rise.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna has stated that at least 24 people are still missing, and the search for remains is ongoing.

Governor Newsom Faces Intense Scrutiny

Governor Gavin Newsom is also under fire, with over 100,000 people signing a petition calling for his resignation.

Despite the mounting criticism, Newsom has attempted to deflect blame, focusing on local officials and maintaining that he had no knowledge of how the fires began.

His handling of the disaster has drawn further ire, especially after he solicited donations for the fire victims through his personal Super PAC.

As the fires continue to wreak havoc on Los Angeles, the failure of city and state leadership to adequately address both the fires and the underlying issues has sparked outrage.

With lives and homes at risk, many are questioning whether the current leadership can handle the ongoing disaster.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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