Trump says a 'valve' can solve California's water woes. Experts say it's not true.

[Judi Lynn]

Trump is taking aim at water supplies for an endangered fish, but scientists say he’s missing the point.

Today at 6:30 a.m. EST



People fish in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River delta's Elkhorn Slough near Courtland, California. (Rich Pedroncelli/AP)

By Dino Grandoni and Joshua Partlow

It’s one of California’s thorniest problems. The nation’s most populous state is full of sprawling cities, vast farmland, rich ecosystems — and it must decide how to divide scarce water resources among them.

But for President Donald Trump, the solution is simple: Turn a valve and more water will flow.
“Los Angeles has massive amounts of water available to it,” Trump said at a news conference Tuesday. “All they have to do is turn the valve.”

As Trump prepares to visit Los Angeles, which has been ravaged by wildfires, on Friday, he has offered different theories for how Southern California could get more water to fight fires.

He is blaming a minnow-sized fish, claiming water can be diverted from Canada and suggesting a single valve could be turned to solve the state’s water woes.

Trump said during a Fox News interview on Wednesday that California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) “can release the water that comes from the north.”

More:
https://www.removepaywall.com/search?url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/01/23/california-water-trump-valve-la-fires/#google_vignette

Or:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/01/23/california-water-trump-valve-la-fires/

[Walleye]

1. Did he pass any courses in high school, or did he just pay people to take the tests?

He’s not only ignorant for a president, he’s much more ignorant than an average American. In fact, I can’t think of any public figure as stupid and ignorant, as he is as well as cruel and sadistic. Very bad combination.

[FakeNoose]

5. His "high school" was a military academy

I'm not sure how good or bad his grades were. But Dad Fred made a nice donation to the military school, and Donny spent 4 years marching and spit shining his shoes. I don't believe he read many books during that time.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

8. He thinks that makes him a military expert

[sop]

2. Trump has been obsessed with waterflow for toilets and showerheads for a while now.

"President Trump wants to make showerheads and toilets flow greatly again, but so may utility bills"

"WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump once expressed concern with how low showerhead flow affected his 'perfect' hair. Now back in the White House, he’s again taking aim at some high-efficiency household items — and that may mean higher water and electric bills in your home."

"One of Trump’s several dozen first-day executive orders promises to 'unleash American energy,' including a pledge to ease efficiency standards for household appliances and fixtures."

https://apnews.com/article/trump-climate-energy-efficiency-b70d96d84f9aa1160faea547b15455a9

Trump needs to be flushed down a toilet.

[MiHale]

4. Flush him down? He's like that turd that just won't go...

Take many flushes…many.

[Oneear]

3. No Rivers Flows from Canada directly into California

Now, the beautiful rivers like Sacramento and the San Joaquin are fed by waters from the Sierra Nevada mountain range, not from Canada. Someone Check to see if I am correct. Please

[FakeNoose]

6. Well there's this thing called the continental divide

Wikipedia link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_divide



In North America, the rainwater and groundwater flows east on the right side of that red line. The water on the left of that red line flows towards the west. What complicates things is that gold area called the "Great Basin" where water flows into it from the Sierra Mountains and the western Rockies. The Colorado River (flowing south to Mexico) provides much of the drainage for the Great Basin area.

You're right about Canada, most of their rainwater doesn't flow south except where it feeds the Saint Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

9. Columbia River does

However, where it empties into the sea makes up part of the border between Washington and Oregon.

[FakeNoose]

10. Fair enough, I've never visited that area of the country

Thanks!

[Blue_Tires]

7. This probably belongs in "Latest Trump BS" forum