Newsom hits back at Trump for false claim about scaled back rail project
California Gov. Gavin Newsom disputed President Trump's erroneous claim Wednesday night that the state owes the federal government $3.5 billion after being "forced to cancel the massive bullet train project" estimated to be completed by 2033.
"Fake news. We’re building high-speed rail, connecting the Central Valley and beyond. This is CA’s money, allocated by Congress for this project. We’re not giving it back. The train is leaving the station — better get on board!"— Gavin tweeted.
The backdrop: The newly elected governor said Tuesday that the state scaled back plans to build an estimated $77 billion high-speed train from San Francisco to Los Angeles, saying that the project cost too much. However, it won't be completely canceled, as Trump claims, and will focus on the Central Valley part of the route, from Merced to Bakersfield. Per the AP, Newsom also said the state would have to return $3.5 billion in federal money if construction stops on the Central Valley leg or if it fails to complete its environmental reviews.