Celebrity fitness expert Jillian Michaels believes that California may shift toward the Republican Party, partly because of how Governor Gavin Newsom handled the recent wildfires in Los Angeles.
Michaels, who became famous for her role on “The Biggest Loser” in the 2010s, lived in California until 2021. She moved to Florida after becoming frustrated with the state’s leadership. Michaels explained that her political views changed after the 2018 Malibu fire, which destroyed her home. She blamed Newsom for the devastation caused by the fire, saying it could have been prevented with better planning and response.
In an interview with NewsNation, Michaels said that the wildfires have had a significant impact on the state, leaving many people financially devastated. She criticized Newsom for not taking enough action to reduce the damage, pointing out that $20 million mansions were destroyed, and thousands of people were affected by the fires. She believes that these types of disasters could be avoided with better leadership.
Michaels also predicted a political shift in California, with more voters leaning towards the Republican Party. She mentioned that in the 2024 election, the state saw an increase in red voters, including new voters who supported the GOP. Michaels believes that this trend will continue and that California’s next governor could be from the Republican Party.
Governor Newsom, who is expected to run for president in 2028, is completing his final term as governor and cannot run again in 2026. Michaels specifically criticized the state’s failure to address issues like water management, noting that California allocated billions of dollars in 2014 to improve its water system, including the construction of new reservoirs. However, none have been built in the last 11 years.
Michaels also mentioned a bill, AB2330, which aimed to improve wildfire preparedness in California. The bill was vetoed by Newsom in September 2023 after months of revisions. Michaels said that this situation isn’t about party politics but about leadership. She compared California to a company, saying that with bad leadership, it doesn’t matter which party is in charge—the results will still be the same.
