California Gov. was grilled by “Real Time” host Bill Maher Friday over his leadership of the Golden State and the many problems facing the state.Â
Maher surging gas prices in his state and other economic complaints critics say define Newsoms legacy, including his long-troubled high-speed rail project.
“I say this as a friend, you got to let that train go!” Maher said during Fridays episode of his HBO show.
Before addressing the s “corruption story”, Newsom first pushed back on Mahers blunt economic advice.
“The other side, what they are going to say though is, but have you seen the stats from California” Maher asked.
“Good! Fourth largest economy. Lets go!” Newsom fired back.
Maher continued to challenge Newsom on fuel costs, as California leads the nation with the per gallon, with some areas climbing up to $9.
“Are they going to say good about gas prices? Are they going to say good about how high their rents are?” Maher said. “So many people liveâ¦I mean theres a whole litany.”
“I mean the train! Gavin, you got to get rid of the train!” Maher said. “I say this as a friend, you got to let that train go! Let the train go. Its up to $231 billion.”
“No, its not. Its not,” Newsom replied.
The project received its first bond funding in 2008 and was originally slated for completion in 2020. Initial estimates also pegged its cost at between $33 billion and $45 billion.
After disputing the eye-popping price tag, the California governor defended the project and shifted blame to previous administrations.
“We got it back on track,” Newsom said. “It goes back three administrations. I inherited a mess.”
“Were actually making this project work.”
Maher also questioned Newsom about his and the governor used the moment to bash the Trump administration as a “corruption story.”
“Its just the sewer that were now living in because of Donald Trump,” Newsom told Maher. “Hes allowed all of us to feel free to shove again.”
Newsom went on to outline what he described as corruption among Trumps and associates, asserting that they are part of a massive grift.
“[Trump] Hes got eight or nine countries hes done major golf course or development deals,” he explained. “This peace board is about getting a piece for Witkoff and for Kushner. You see Donald Trump Jr. in the drone companies, in the mineral companies. Youre seeing the kind of corruption.”
“Its the greatest grift weve ever seen in our lifetime.”
reached out to the White House for comment.Â
Fox Business’ Robert McGreevy contributed to this report.
