Fact check: Gavin Newsom took $126 billion for a train project.

Verdict: mostly true — Trust Score 70/100

The post accurately states that the California high-speed rail project is not yet operational and its estimated cost is around $126 billion, confirmed by 5 sources. However, it misleadingly implies Governor Newsom personally 'took' this money, rather than it being the project's projected cost, and uses highly biased language.

mostly true verification card — Trust Score 70/100
Platform
threads
Source author
darrendrdrumsrottino — see all fact-checks of this account
Original post
https://www.threads.com/@darrendrdrumsrottino/post/DZzZhslm5v_?xmt=AQG0z3APx3c_z-Nbu8SvrWyXa0NpFlR8kwF1nQWDi5_jxcr5SE8uVQbW0sOeKZzO8lE-3Xs
Verified on
June 21, 2026
Verification ID
q3jBmrw9UfxSlSbBY0JQ3w

Original content reviewed

Platform: THREADS Author: @darrendrdrumsrottino --- Caption/Description --- Gavin Newsom took $126 billion for a train project and there is still no train as this massive waste of taxpayer dollars exposes the endless corruption and incompetence coming out of California where Democrat leadership promises the world but delivers nothing but higher taxes broken infrastructure and empty projects that line the pockets of insiders while robbing American families. #GavinNewsom #HighSpeedRailScam #TaxpayerTheft #AmericaFirst --- On-Screen Text (OCR) --- @MagaComeback TRENDING GAVIN NEWSOM TOOK $126,000,000,000.00 FOR A TRAIN PROJECT. THERE IS NO TRAIN. HE ROBBED THE AMERICAN TAXPAYERS! ---VERIFICATION_SUMMARY--- Platform: THREADS Author: @darrendrdrumsrottino --- Caption/Description --- Gavin Newsom took $126 billion for a train project and there is still no train as this massive waste of taxpayer dollars exposes the endless corruption and incompetence coming out of California where Democrat leadership promises the world but delivers nothing but higher taxes broken infrastructure and empty projects that line the pockets of insiders while robbing American families. #GavinNewsom #HighSpeedRailScam #TaxpayerTheft #AmericaFirst --- Visible Text/Media --- On-screen text states 'GAVIN NEWSOM TOOK $126,000,000,000.00 FOR A TRAIN PROJECT. THERE IS NO TRAIN. HE ROBBED THE AMERICAN TAXPAYERS!' with '@MagaComeback' and 'TRENDING' labels. --- Claims to Verify --- 1. Gavin Newsom took $126 billion for a train project. 2. The train project for which Gavin Newsom took $126 billion is not yet operational. 3. The train project is a massive waste of taxpayer dollars. 4. The train project exposes corruption and incompetence in California Democrat leadership. --- Verification Focus --- Gavin Newsom California high-speed rail funding 2024 California high-speed rail project status AP Reuters California high-speed rail cost overruns fact check Snopes PolitiFact Gavin Newsom high-speed rail

Claims analyzed (4)

  1. misleading: Gavin Newsom took $126 billion for a train project.
    The California High-Speed Rail Authority's 2026 Business Plan estimates the cost for Phase 1 (San Francisco to LA) of the project at approximately $126 billion. This is the projected cost of the project, not money Gavin Newsom personally 'took.' The project has spent around $15 billion to date.
  2. verified: The train project for which Gavin Newsom took $126 billion is not yet operational.
    As of June 2026, the California High-Speed Rail project is not operational for passenger service. The earliest projected opening for the initial operating segment (Merced to Bakersfield) is 2033, and the full San Francisco to Los Angeles line is targeted for 2040. While civil construction is underway and track installation is beginning, no trains are currently running.
  3. mostly true: The train project is a massive waste of taxpayer dollars.
    The project has faced significant cost overruns, with estimates rising from $33 billion to $126 billion, and has experienced extensive delays. Many critics, including politicians and news outlets, have labeled it a 'boondoggle' and a 'waste of taxpayer dollars.' California's Transportation Secretary has acknowledged 'mistakes have been made.'
  4. mostly true: The train project exposes corruption and incompetence in California Democrat leadership.
    The project has been widely criticized for 'incompetence' and 'mismanagement' due to its delays and cost overruns. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy (July 2025) referred to 'government incompetence and possibly corruption.' Rep. Kevin Kiley (March 2025) formally requested an FBI investigation into the project, citing questions about fund allocation that 'transcend mere incompetence.' A Reason Foundation article (May 2026) highlighted attempts by lawmakers to hide information, raising tran

Sources consulted (13)

Related verifications

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