Remember when the mainstream media couldn’t stop gushing about Democrat mayors? Those were the days. Back when progressive politicians could do no wrong and anyone who criticized them was labeled a bigot.
But now the tide is turning. Even the liberal media elite can’t ignore reality forever. When billions in damage pile up and neighborhoods burn, suddenly all that “progressive leadership” doesn’t look so progressive anymore.
The Los Angeles Times, that bastion of left-wing journalism in California, has been watching its city crumble under failed leadership. Now, in a shocking development on January 14, 2025, the paper’s billionaire owner is saying what conservatives have known all along.
The Confession That Rocked Liberal LA
Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, owner of the Los Angeles Times, dropped a truth bomb during an interview with Sean Spicer on 2WAY that has left Democrats scrambling. “At the LA Times, we endorsed Karen Bass. I think right now in front, that’s a mistake, and we admit that,” he confessed.
“Maybe we should think about how we elect people on the basis of, did they actually run a job? Did they actually make a payroll?” – Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong
Let that sink in. The LA Times actually admitted they were wrong.
When Identity Politics Goes Up in Smoke
The timing couldn’t be more revealing. As devastating wildfires cause precisely $52.3 billion in documented damage across Los Angeles, Mayor Bass’s leadership has proven catastrophically inadequate.
Soon-Shiong didn’t stop with just admitting the endorsement error. He went further, suggesting something truly revolutionary for the left: “Maybe the lesson we learned out of this catastrophe in California is to now vote not based on left or right or D versus R but perhaps based on competent or no experience in operating a job!”
The Real Cost of Woke Leadership
While Bass was busy checking progressive boxes, basic city management collapsed. Official records confirm she cut the LA Fire Department’s budget by $23 million in the months preceding the crisis. Because nothing says “protecting the community” like slashing fire prevention funding in a wildfire-prone area.
Soon-Shiong highlighted this failure on January 9, posting: “Fires in LA are sadly no surprise, yet the Mayor cut LA Fire Department’s budget by $23M. And reports of empty fire hydrants raise serious questions. Competence matters.”
From Bad to Worse
The human cost of this leadership vacuum continues to mount. As of Tuesday afternoon, January 14, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed 24 deaths related to the wildfires. Meanwhile, thousands of residents remain displaced as the city struggles to coordinate an effective response.
The LA Times owner’s criticism reflects a growing realization among even liberal elites that selecting leaders based on actual qualifications might matter more than satisfying progressive checklist requirements.
Key Takeaways:
- Owner of LA Times rejects endorsing Mayor Bass, after devastating wildfires.
- There has been, so far, $52.3 billion in damage from wildfires.
- Mayor Bass faces much of the blame because she cut fire department funding by $23 million.
Sources: Daily Wire, Real Clear Politics, Newsmax