Josh Flagg
Defends Himself Over Posting Wildfire Residence Gross sales
… Dedicated to Rebuilding Malibu
Revealed
Josh Flagg is defending himself after getting slammed on-line for what critics known as a tone-deaf actual property flex within the wake of Malibu’s lethal wildfires.
On Tuesday, the actual property energy dealer posted a photograph of two beachfront houses lowered to rubble within the 2025 Palisades fires captioned “JUST SOLD!” and noting one offered for $5 million, the opposite for $4.65 million. The submit rapidly drew a whole bunch of feedback accusing him of insensitivity towards victims.
The feedback part lit up quick, with critics calling the submit “in very poor style,” “horrific,” and “triggering and heartbreaking for lots of people.”
Now, Flagg tells TMZ the picture by no means ought to’ve gone up. “I am not going to sit down again whereas individuals query my character,” he tells us. “The picture utilized in my current submit was a mistake. My advertising staff posted it with out my evaluation or approval … I used to be on a transatlantic flight when it went up. I am sorry if it offended anybody.”
Flagg, who has represented lots of the beachfront sellers of the properties affected by the fires, says the criticism ignores his lengthy historical past of serving to Malibu recuperate.
“Anyone who is aware of me is aware of I labored exhausting to assist — inserting households who misplaced houses, talking out weekly on CNN and FOX, and pushing again on idiotic insurance policies that slowed rebuilding,” he mentioned, including he is fought value gouging, pushed for a good course of, and stayed vocal about restoration.
“These gross sales aren’t simply transactions — they’re serving to Malibu residents rebuild and restore neighborhoods,” he defined. “Displaying progress is a optimistic signal, as a result of it means a sooner restoration and a brighter future for the group.”
Inside hours of the Palisades fires igniting, Josh opened his house to everybody from informal acquaintances to shut buddies together with Melissa Rivers who had been displaced.
Flagg closed with, “If you’re a public determine, you’re celebrated for the great and criticized for the unhealthy. However calling me insensitive is just not correct. Full cease. Transferring on.”
