Hollywood icon Mel Gibson returned home from a fiery interview with Joe Rogan to find his Malibu property reduced to ashes, the latest victim of California’s catastrophic wildfires. The “Braveheart” star, who didn’t mince words about Governor Gavin Newsom’s handling of the crisis during his appearance on *The Joe Rogan Experience*, found his neighborhood unrecognizable.
“My place looked like Dresden,” Gibson told NewsNation’s *Elizabeth Vargas Reports* on Thursday evening. “I was uneasy during the podcast because I knew my neighborhood was on fire. When I got home, sure enough, it wasn’t there.”
The actor described the haunting scene. “It’s like someone intentionally wiped out every trace of it. Chimneys and a few roof tiles were all that was left of a dozen homes. Cars were melted, nails scattered everywhere—everything was gone,” he said.
Gibson, 69, had lived in the Malibu home for 15 years. While mourning the loss of personal mementos, he kept his perspective. “It’s emotional. You lose irreplaceable things—photos, files, and keepsakes—but those are just things. My family and loved ones are safe, and that’s what matters.”
Among the neighbors who also lost their homes was fellow actor Ed Harris, underscoring the widespread devastation in the area.
The interview came just hours after Gibson’s blunt takedown of Newsom on Rogan’s podcast. The actor ripped the governor for failing to deliver on promises to mitigate wildfire risks.
“In 2019, Newsom promised to manage the forests and maintain them,” Gibson said. “He didn’t do anything. It’s all talk and no action. Meanwhile, people are losing everything.”
In true Gibson fashion, he didn’t hold back. “I think all our tax dollars probably went to Gavin’s hair gel,” he quipped. “It’s tragic. California is burning, and leadership is nowhere to be found.”
Gibson’s comments resonate with many Californians who have grown increasingly frustrated with the state’s handling of recurring wildfire disasters. Despite record tax revenues, the state has failed to implement effective wildfire prevention measures, leaving residents to bear the brunt of poor forest management and inadequate preparation.
The devastating wildfires continue to tear through Los Angeles County, with tens of thousands evacuated and countless homes destroyed. The lack of accountability and action from California’s leadership has only fueled public outrage.
Gibson’s loss is a painful reminder of the human cost of political inaction. “It’s a real wake-up call,” he said. “We need leadership that cares more about results than rhetoric. This isn’t just a tragedy—it’s a failure.”
As Californians face yet another wildfire season, voices like Gibson’s highlight the urgent need for meaningful reform and competent leadership. Until then, the Golden State will remain trapped in a cycle of destruction and neglect.
