Social media users have reacted negatively to Mel Gibson’s discussion of a conspiracy theory about the flames in Los Angeles on live television.
Over the weekend, the 69-year-old actor, who was a guest on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, disclosed that he had lost his Malibu home to the fire.
Gibson said he was in Austin, Texas, when he learned that his multimillion-dollar property was “completely toasted” during an appearance on Elizabeth Vargas Reports on NewsNation. He called the loss “devastating” and “emotional.”
“I’ve never seen such a complete burn,” Gibson said. “It is obviously devastating, it’s emotional. You live there for a long time, and you had all your stuff. I lived there for about 14, 15 years, so it was home to me.”
Gibson has now discussed a conspiracy notion that even he acknowledged was “insane” on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle.
He told the host: “I know they were messing with the water, letting reserves go for one reason or another. They’ve been doing that a while. California has a lot of problems that sort of baffle the mind as far as why they do things.”
Gibson then asked the questions, “Is it on purpose?” and “Do they want the state empty?”
After confessing to creating “horrible theories” about the fires in his mind, the actor said, “I can make all kinds of horrible theories up in my head, conspiracy theories and everything else, but it just seemed a little convenient that there was no water.”
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=embed_video&v=2966387783518250
“And that the wind conditions were right and that there are people ready and willing and able to start fires,” Gibson continued. “And are they commissioned to do so or acting on their own volition? I don’t know. But they seem pretty well equipped with these people that they are catching.”
During their discussion, Ingraham said, “Well, now there’s already talk. And we played a couple of soundbites. Of re-imagining the way rebuilding occurs. “
“And obviously there’s a great need for high-density housing in California and across the country. That’s a big push by the climate folks. And you’re already hearing rumblings of that. In this case, like goodbye single-family homes. Hello, high-density housing!”
Viewers responded to the segment by criticizing the actor’s unfounded assertions about X.
“Conspiracy theories are his last claims to fame,” one person wrote, with another adding, “The has been is now an expert on water reserves.”
A third tweeted: “I will never watch another movie with him in it.”
“Mel needs a rest,” one viewer responded, with another simply writing, “Shameful.”
The fires continue to rank among the most expensive and damaging catastrophes in American history.
Eleven people died in the Eaton Fire and five died in the Palisades Fire, for a total of at least 16 fatalities. As of this writing, thirteen more are still unaccounted for.
Officials have issued important health and safety warnings to the public as firefighters work to suppress the fires:
Water Safety: Because of the possibility of fire contamination, residents in and near Pacific Palisades have been cautioned not to drink tap water. Brentwood Country Club and Westwood Recreation Centre are giving out bottled water.
Air Quality: To reduce exposure to ash, smoke, and particulate matter exacerbated by the fires and windstorm conditions, the LA County Public Health Department has advised citizens to refrain from utilizing power blowers such as leaf blowers.
Ocean Waters: Between Surfrider Beach and Dockweiler State Beach, a 20-mile length, authorities have issued a warning against swimming, surfing, and playing in the ocean. The government warned that “people entering these waters could become ill.”
According to AccuWeather, preliminary projections indicate that the cost of recovery activities in the Los Angeles region may reach $150 billion.
We are still thinking about everyone affected by this tragedy that is developing.
