Los Angeles officials traveled to Washington to press for wildfire rebuilding funds, insurance relief and faster federal support for families still recovering from the 2025 fires
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger met privately with President Trump and administration officials on Wednesday in an effort to push the White House for federal monies to help victims of the deadly 2025 wildfires with the slow-moving rebuilding process.
“This afternoon we met with President Trump and Administration officials to advocate for families who lost everything,” Bass and Barger said in a statement. “We had a very positive discussion about FEMA and other rebuilding funds as well as the support of the President to continue joining us in pressuring the insurance companies to pay what they owe — and for the big banks to step up to ease the financial pressure on L.A. families.”
In the aftermath of the wildfires that ravaged huge swaths of Los Angeles and devastated Altadena, the historic area represented by Barger, California officials were often at odds with the Trump administration over wildfire recovery funding and permitting. In recent months, Governor Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit that accused the Trump administration of withholding billions in critical wildfire aid.
The Oval Office meeting signaled a shift in relations in an effort to secure federal funding.
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) April 23, 2026
The meeting was an abrupt about-face from unrelenting criticism that has been aimed at the White House by Bass on a series of issues, most recently the immigration raids that prompted chaos in downtown Los Angeles.
Trump, in turn, has called Bass “incompetent” and has railed against the city for its response to the wildfires. In the days after the fires claimed 12 lives in Pacific Palisades, Trump met with city officials at a Los Angeles firehouse and promised aid. He has also took aim at State Farm insurance last month for its lackluster response to paying out victims after meeting with Newsom and other California officials.
Donald J. Trump Truth Social Post 04:26 PM EST 03.31.26
I have just met with various Political Representatives of the tragedy that took place in California concerning the burning of thousands of once beautiful homes. It was brought to my attention that the Insurance Companies,…
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) March 31, 2026
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Mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt posted about the Mayor’s meeting on his social media page, calling her “MAGA KAREN” and pointing to bags her staff left the Oval Office on Wednesday with what he called “MAGA merch.”
Look at the Trump merch bags! https://t.co/YmaB4OCgQ6 pic.twitter.com/vbxPgZTt2s
— Spencer Pratt (@spencerpratt) April 22, 2026
It is unclear why the Governor was notably absent from the White House.