Mayor Karen Bass meets Trump at White House for wildfire relief funding

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday to push for wildfire relief funding, marking a rare moment of cooperation after months of conflict.

Bass shared a photo on X showing him and Los Angeles County Executive Kathryn Barger meeting with Trump and senior administration officials in the Oval Office.

Bass and Barger said the meeting included a “positive discussion” about Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding and rebuilding efforts following last year’s Palisades and Eaton fires.

“We met with President Trump and Administration officials this afternoon to advocate for families who lost everything,” they said in a joint statement. “We had a very positive discussion about FEMA and other rebuilding funds, as well as the President continuing to join us in pressuring insurance companies to pay their debts and his support for major banks to step in to ease the financial pressure on L.A. families.”

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“Our job is to fight for our communities,” they added. “Our federal partners are crucial when it comes to this recovery, and we are grateful for the President’s support.”

The meeting followed a yearlong dispute between California leaders and the Trump administration over wildfire recovery funding and the federal government’s role in rebuilding efforts.

The fires burned more than 37,700 acres and destroyed more than 16,200 structures, larger than Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm and Universal Studios combined. The fires have caused tens of billions of dollars in damage, and rebuilding continues as residents grapple with insurance claims and rising costs.

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Los Angeles officials traveled to Washington to seek federal assistance for rebuilding after devastating wildfires. (Salwan Georges/Bloomberg via Getty Images; Patrick T Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

While FEMA announced more than $3 billion in aid last June, California Governor Gavin Newsom later requested $33.9 billion in additional federal funds. Los Angeles Times.

More recently, Newsom criticized Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for delays in releasing more than $500 million in FEMA funding tied to wildfire relief.

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California Governor Gavin Newsom called for additional federal funding to support wildfire recovery efforts in Los Angeles. (Tayfun Coşkun/Anadolu)

Bass, who has clashed with the Trump administration in recent months, including over immigration enforcement protests in Los Angeles, came under criticism from some websites after the meeting.

Reality TV star Spencer Pratt, who is running for mayor, mocked Bass on social media, posting “MAGA KAREN” in response to the Oval Office photo and accusing her of aligning herself with Trump ahead of the election.

“Karen Bass sold her soul to Trump in a last-ditch move of desperation before the election, LMAO,” he added.

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Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House and Bass’ office for comment.

Fox News Digital’s Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.