Sometimes you just have to point out, as the classic story goes, that the emperor has no clothes.
California Governor Gavin Newsom preened for the cameras Tuesday as he celebrated the high-speed train that has so far cost at least $12 billion — and will cost over $120 billion more to complete, lightyears beyond the original estimates — and has been under construction for over a decade.
There was only one problem with his victory lap: There’s no bullet train, and there’s no track.
Gov. Gavin Newsom was mocked for posing in front of a freight train to tout progress on the troubled High Speed Rail project — still years from carrying passengers despite a staggering price tag of roughly $215 million per mile for a Central Valley route.
“He stands in front of a freight train saying ‘it’s coming’ — no, sir, it’s not,” said Assemblymember Alexandra Macedo, who represents parts of the Central Valley. “Your privilege train is a money pit and a boondoggle.”
Newsom visited Kern County Tuesday to “celebrate” the completion of a railhead facility — a “critical step in the track-laying stage,” the governor said in a statement.
Sure, Gavin, we believe you. You said in 2008 that you would solve the homelessness crisis in San Francisco; how’d that turn out for you?
We've taken another critical step in the track-laying stage for California's @CaHSRA high-speed rail! pic.twitter.com/qVYw7eJQbn
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) February 4, 2026
Note to the governor: That is not a high-speed bullet train behind you. That is a good old-fashioned diesel freight train, sir.
The critics were quick to jump in — justifiably so. Here’s Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy:
Gavin’s big reveal… NOTHING‼️
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) February 5, 2026
Not a single high-speed track is installed for Gavin Newsom’s TRAIN TO NOWHERE. A monstrous $135 BILLION price tag. And federal taxpayers spent $16 BILLION, for nothing.
Best of luck with your boondoggle @CAgovernor, but federal taxpayers aren’t… https://t.co/LUa3xmJifN
Best of luck with your boondoggle @CAgovernor, but federal taxpayers aren’t on the hook anymore. President Trump and I made sure of that.
To date, Duffy, the Trump administration, and GOP stalwarts in Congress like Rep. Kevin Kiley (CA-03) have yanked over $4 billion in funding from the circus act.
We won. Federal funding for the CA High-Speed Rail catastrophe has officially been terminated. pic.twitter.com/TGeD2VfGxk
— Rep. Kevin Kiley (@RepKiley) July 17, 2025
MORE: Sean Duffy Brings Down the Hammer on California's Utterly Failed Transportation Boondoggle
Trump Pulls the Plug on Gavin Newsom's High-Speed Rail Boondoggle
Florida GOP Sen. Rick Scott also pointed out that Newsom can grin all he wants, but there’s no there there:
After 10 years and a $135 billion price tag of wasteful spending for taxpayers, @CAgovernor is standing in front of a freight train that’s not moving and touting his high-speed rail scam as a success. (Note: actual high-speed rail tracks are nowhere to be found in the video.)… https://t.co/7cQNRxYA3o
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) February 4, 2026
It’s easy and fun to mock the ever-failing governor and point out his many faults. In early polling, however, he is a top contender among the potential Democrat candidates for president in 2028, and my guess is he’s slick enough to make short work of the almost comically inept Kamala Harris, the frontrunner at this point.
WELL-DESERVED: An Anti-Newsom Super Bowl Ad Is the Prick Needed to Deflate Gavin's Massive Ego
This is the kind of leadership he would bring. (And no, millions upon millions of patriotic Californians did not vote for this, and we do not deserve it. Just remember, approximately 13 months ago, the wax figure that is known as Joe Biden was our commander in chief. Did you vote for that?)
Here's a "high-speed train" operating in California under the current reality:
If being a decade behind schedule and 100 billion dollars over budget has you beginning to doubt Gavin Newsom and his high speed rail project, just take a look at some other trains attempting to operate in California. pic.twitter.com/OaOHjkcHr3
— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) February 5, 2026
Newsom is far, far more dangerous than Bumblin’ Joe. Billions missing, societal failure — that’s his record, and he wants to bring it to you. He deserves all the mocking he’s getting, and so much more.
Editor’s Note: California is the poster child for everything that is wrong with the Democrat Party and the “progressive” movement.
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