Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has been criticized for grinning and smiling in her latest ‘tone deaf’ video response to the devastating fires in Los Angeles.
Bass faced strong backlash after posting a video message about the city’s historic infernos, in which she appeared to smile as she discussed residents’ “unbearable loss.”
The controversial clip showed a rather sharp Bass delivering a somber message about the devastating, fiery crisis plaguing her city.
“I saw the devastation with my own eyes,” she wrote in the caption. “These fires in our region have changed lives forever. The coming days will be challenging, but together we will get through this crisis.
“Thank you to all the first responders who are working around the clock and doing everything they can to protect Los Angeles.”
Appearing to smile occasionally during her speech, Bass said, “To each of you and to all of you who have experienced loss, the grief, the anger, the utter shock – I have seen the devastation, it is unbelievable the amount of loss people have suffered.”
Three fires are still burning Los Angeles: Palisades, Eaton and Hurst. At least 16 people have been killed, tens of thousands of people have been displaced and 12,300 buildings have been burned down.
The embattled mayor then discussed a visit to the Sylmar command post and praised first responders.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has been criticized for grinning and laughing in her latest ‘tone deaf’ video response to the devastating fires in Los Angeles
Bass faced strong backlash after posting a video message about the city’s fires, in which she appeared to smile as she discussed residents’ “unbearable loss”
“I was at the Sylmar command post today and saw the work of our first responders and how they were able to defeat the fires in certain areas.”
“We know we still have a long way to go. We know the winds will pick up again, but we have to stay together, stand strong and then we have to rebuild our city,” she continued.
“We are the second largest city in the country, one of the largest cities in the world. We will stay together and we will rebuild a great city.
“Thank you Angelenos and my thoughts and prayers go out to all of you who are going through an incredible loss and paid today. we will get through this.”
But her apparent grin throughout the address has left locals furious over the way her government has handled the emergency.
Critics are now calling for her resignation over the ‘inappropriate’ video.
One person wrote: ‘She is simply unqualified and tone deaf. Mayor Karen Bass is a joke of a mayor.”
‘Why the hell are you laughing? Resign now!’ wrote one angry user.
Another asked: ‘Why is she smiling and grinning. What’s so funny about the fires?’
‘Resign now! You have failed your citizens tremendously,” chimed in another.
‘Why are you laughing? Are you guys so out of touch? Unbelievable,” said another.
Karen Bass has come under renewed scrutiny for her behavior during LA’s most horrific fires
“No one needs you to give them a pep talk, they need you to be a leader, which you are not,” another user commented.
Critics also took the opportunity to criticize Bass’ broader record, with many pointing to her administration’s spending priorities.
Some highlighted the $900 million allocated to homeless programs last year, while others criticized her for allegedly discouraging street services and fire departments.
‘Bass spent $900 million on the homeless ‘non-profit’ scam last year, it’s worse and they’re the ones who started the fire, just ask LAFD Bass hired another 450 bureaucratic parasites for DEI Bass has spent $800 million on illegal alien handouts last year. Bass disbanded street services and LAFD.
Another wrote, “If only Mayor Bass had just done her job instead of pursuing a woke agenda that prioritized DEI over assurances that the city would have water in the reservoirs to fight wildfires.”
This comes as the embattled mayor scoffed as she brushed off questions about her reported split from Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley.
Bass, who has faced intense criticism for her handling of the crisis, said at a news conference Saturday that she and Crowley are “lockstep” in their efforts.
“We are moving toward our most important mission, and that mission is to get us through this emergency right now,” she said.
Embattled Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass scoffed as she waved away questions about her reported rift with Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley during a press conference on Saturday
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kirstin Crowley (pictured) has blasted the city’s mayor, Karen Bass, over ‘failing’ firefighters and communities devastated by the ongoing wildfires
“We want to make sure that we save lives, that we save homes, that we save businesses, and if there are disagreements, we will continue to address them privately.”
As Bass left the stage, a reporter asked if reports that she had fired Crowley were true, to which she replied “no” and laughed.
It came after Crowley criticized the city’s mayor for “failing” firefighters and communities devastated by the ongoing bushfires.