Fox News contributor Jason Chaffetz discusses the criticism California leaders are facing over their handling of the wildfires ravaging Los Angeles County in “The Bottom Line.”
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk plans to use Tesla Cybertrucks and Starlink technologies to provide free internet access to areas devastated by California wildfires.
Musk, who is CEO of Tesla and Starlink, wrote in a post about X, another of his companies, that Cybertruck deliveries would be delayed over the next few days.
“My apologies to those expecting Cybertruck deliveries to California in the coming days,” he wrote. “We need to use these trucks as mobile base stations to power Starlink Internet terminals in areas of Los Angeles without connectivity. A new truck will be delivered at the end of the week.”
In another post, Musk said Cybertrucks equipped with Starlink and free internet would be positioned in a grid pattern in areas that need the technology most, in Greater Los Angeles and Malibu.
ELON MUSK ANNOUNCES SPACEX WILL PROVIDE FREE STARLINK TERMINALS AMID FIRES
Musk also said security personnel would be added to the Cybertrucks, as well as snacks and drinks for passersby.
The move comes three days after Musk announced he would provide free Starlink terminals to Los Angeles areas.
He made the announcement by retweeting images of a journalist attributing connectivity to the Starlink internet service.
CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES DEVASTA LOS ANGELES COUNTY, KILLING 5 PEOPLE AND THREATENING THOUSANDS OF HOME
Homes burn as powerful winds fan the Eaton Fire January 7, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (David McNew/Getty Images)
The reporter said Starlink “is the only reason we can hear and communicate with you right now because there is absolutely no cell service in this entire area.”
On Sunday morning, billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman wrote in an article on put out fires before they spread didn’t seem like a “serious technological challenge” to tackle with the help of companies like SpaceX, xAI and Anduril Industries, a defense company specializing in autonomous systems, unmanned aerial systems and the unmanned aerial systems pioneered by Palmer Luckey.
“So (Elon Musk) and (Palmer Luckey), why not start a company that uses satellites, AI and drone technology to put out fires before they spread?” Ackman asked in the post. “We can imagine satellite surveillance, rapid survey by drone and water delivery by swarm of drones. The number of drones sent to extinguish the fire and the nature of the extinguishing agent (water, foam, dry or wet chemicals, etc.) would depend on the situation. the nature and extent of the fire. No human lives would be put at risk and there is no risk of DEI involvement in drone selection. What do you think? I would like to invest? in California.”
SWALWELL SLAMMED ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR TRUMP WILL DECREASE GROCERY PRICES
Despite Musk’s efforts to help, one user wrote to him on X: “California hates you and Trump,” which the SpaceX CEO admitted was true.
“That’s true for some people in California, and the press will of course accuse me of demagoguery, but if it helps save even one home or maybe even someone’s life, we should still do it,” Musk replied.
But another user asked how he could donate his Cybertruck to help with these efforts.
“Take a truck ride through devastated areas with a rooftop Starlink terminal and open WiFi,” Musk said.
Musk claimed that wildfires in the Golden State could have been avoided, but that regulations are hindering action to prevent infernos.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
“These fires are easily preventable, but absurd regulations in California prevent action from being taken, so year after year, homes burn and more people die,” Musk wrote in an article on X.
Alex Nitzberg of FOX Business contributed to this report.