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For Immediate Release
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Trump Has Been Silent On the Western Wildfires For Nearly Three Weeks

As of today, 5,300 square miles are burning across 13 states because of climate change-fueled wildfires. Yet, President Trump hasn't mentioned the wildfires in any way, shape, or

WASHINGTON

As of today, 5,300 square miles are burning across 13 states because of climate change-fueled wildfires. Yet, President Trump hasn't mentioned the wildfires in any way, shape, or form since August 23--nearly three weeks ago.

During that time, Trump held 46 public events where he could have addressed the crisis and devastation. Nor has Trump tweeted about the wildfires from his personal account. When he did last address the fires in mid-August, he blamed California for the wildfires and said "you gotta clean your floors."

"President Trump's silence and complete disregard for the millions of people at risk is horrifying. It shouldn't matter if it's a red state or a blue state, the president should be above politics in moments of crises. He calls climate change a "hoax" when we can all see our nation is burning. Voters see through his BS," said Lori Lodes, Executive Director of Climate Power 2020.

In 2019, Trump threatened to withhold FEMA disaster funding for the state because of a political grudge. As POLITICO reported: "He told us to stop giving money to people whose houses had burned down because he was so rageful that people in the state of California didn't support him," said Miles Taylor, former chief of staff to former Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen.

These wildfires--which experts say have been made worse because of climate change--are putting millions of Americans at risk and are undoubtedly one of the biggest challenges our country is facing right now. With experts predicting the wildfires will only worsen this weekend, and the COVID-19 pandemic making it difficult for people to evacuate, Americans need more than silence from the president.

Climate Power 2020 is putting the Trump administration on defense every single day for ignoring experts, refusing to believe in science, surrendering our government to big oil executives, and gutting public health protections, all at the expense of future generations. The 2020 presidential election is the defining moment for how our nation addresses the climate crisis--our leaders must be emboldened to take immediate action on climate change and to build a just and equitable economy. The time to act is now. Learn more: climatepower2020.org