As devastating wildfires rage through Los Angeles, former George H.W. Bush official Catherine Austin Fitts has sparked controversy by floating a conspiracy theory on her podcast, Financial Rebellion. Fitts speculated that the wildfires might be part of a scheme to “cover-up” alleged crimes linked to rapper and music mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.
During the episode, Fitts raised questions about the impact of the fires on individuals allegedly associated with Combs. “In situations like [the L.A. fires], I look at patterns,” she said. “I look at some of the communities involved… how many of the homeowners were on the P. Diddy list?”
The so-called “Diddy list” referenced by Fitts alludes to unverified reports linking certain celebrities to parties hosted by Combs, where allegations of sexual harassment have surfaced, told Newsweek.
Fitts went further, theorizing that the fires may have been deliberately triggered. “It’s hard to conceive the original fires weren’t triggered from the sky or from the suborbital platform,” she claimed. Fitts also suggested that she has witnessed “dreadful” actions aimed at covering up crimes, including pedophilia, and wouldn’t be “surprised” if this played a role in the fires.
Her remarks come as the cause of the Los Angeles wildfires remains undetermined. The fires have claimed at least 16 lives, forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate, and caused extensive property damage.
Fitts’ comments have drawn both criticism and skepticism, with many questioning the logic and timing of her claims. While conspiracy theories often emerge during major disasters, her assertions about a connection to Combs and alleged crimes have added a new layer of controversy.
As officials focus on containing the fires and providing relief to affected communities, theories like Fitts’ serve as a reminder of how public discourse can veer into speculation, particularly during times of crisis. For now, the priority remains addressing the human and environmental toll of the disaster, as investigations into the cause of the wildfires continue.