Who Was Karen Bass? From Ghana Trip to LA Firestorm Scandal
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has faced intense criticism after she made a major mistake during a press conference about the city’s deadly wildfires, calling it “the big one.” Instead of providing the correct emergency website, she told residents to visit “URL.”
The incident happened Wednesday after Bass returned to the U.S., following criticism for traveling to Ghana while wildfires raged in LA. Many have also blamed her for cutting $17.6 million from the fire department's budget for the 2024–25 fiscal year.
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| Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass had an unfortunate gaffe while providing updates on the historic wildfires in the city |
“If you need help, emergency information is available. You can find it all at URL,” Bass said while reading from her script.
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Her vague statements, like “Conserve water to the extent that you can,” left many frustrated. The backlash on social media was swift, with users calling her “an embarrassment” and “the most incompetent politician in America.”
'To the thousands of families impacted by this horrific fire — the City of Los Angeles is providing resources and shelter as this emergency continues. To the hundreds of brave firefighters and first responders who have been responding all day to this blaze — we thank you. The City is working aggressively to confront this emergency,' she said in a statement.
One user on X wrote: “Mayor Karen Bass literally read ‘URL’ instead of giving the actual emergency website. She needs to resign. This is so embarrassing.” Another said, “She’s going all Joe Biden, not knowing what she’s saying.”
| Mayor Karen Bass faces criticism for her absence during the Los Angeles wildfire and budget cuts to Fire Department, which some blame for inadequate resources. In the wake of catastrophic wildfires that have ravaged Los Angeles, claiming over 1,500 properties - including several celebrity homes - and forcing more than 100,000 residents to evacuate, Mayor Karen Bass is facing mounting criticism for her leadership during the crisis. |
Bass’s return to LA after a trip to Africa also sparked outrage. A Sky News reporter confronted her after her flight landed, asking if she owed residents an apology for being absent and for cutting the fire department budget.
Bass defended her actions during the press conference, saying, “I took the fastest route back, including using a military plane. I was on the phone the entire flight.”
Many critics believe Bass’s absence and budget cuts contributed to the chaos surrounding the wildfires, leading to mounting calls for her resignation.
