Denies California drought exists, claims water is being dumped into ocean

At a rally in Fresno, California, Trump declared to cheering farmers that "there is no drought," despite the state facing its worst water shortage in recorded history. He claimed that water was merely being "shoved out to sea" to protect a "three-inch fish" (the Delta smelt), simplifying complex water management issues into a conspiracy theory. He promised to "open up the water" if elected, dismissing environmental concerns and scientific reality in favor of populist resource nationalism.

"There is no drought. ... They're taking the water and shoving it out to sea." — Fresno rally addressing California's water crisis