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Comedian and HBO host Bill Maher pulled no punches in an interview with Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA), grilling him about his recent Trump-like behavior and the billion-dollar black hole that is California\u2019s proposed high-speed rail system.<\/p>\n
Maher spoke to the California politician \u2014 who is term-limited out of his current office and widely expected to run for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination \u2014 and pressed him on his record in The Golden State.<\/p>\n
WATCH:<\/strong><\/p>\n \ud83d\udea8 NEW: Bill Maher GRILLS Gavin Newsom over his biggest failures in blistering interview:<\/p>\n MAHER: \u201cThe other side, what they are going to say though is, but have you seen the stats from California?\u201d<\/p>\n NEWSOM: \u201cGood! One of the largest economies. Let\u2019s go!\u201d<\/p>\n MAHER: \u201cWell\u2026 are they\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/hS0fr3IFe7<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) May 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Maher began by warning Newsom that as soon as he officially threw his hat into the presidential ring, Republicans would be begging to discuss his tenure as California governor.<\/p>\n \u201cThe other side, what they are going to say though is, but have you seen the stats from California?\u201d Maher pointed out.<\/p>\n Newsom did not appear to be bothered by the prospect, firing back, \u201cGood! Fourth largest economy. Let\u2019s go!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell \u2026 are they going to say good about gas prices?\u201d he replied. \u201cAre they going to say good about how high their rents are? So many people live \u2026 I mean there\u2019s a whole litany,\u201d Maher cautioned before bringing up the train. \u201cI mean the train! Gavin, you got to get rid of the train! I say this as a friend, you got to let that train go! Let the train go. It\u2019s up to $231 billion.\u201d<\/p>\n Newsom pushed back, claiming that he\u2019d inherited the problem from previous administrations and blaming \u201clegal challenges\u201d and environmental concerns for the delays and added costs. He went on to say that the project was finally making progress and laying the first tracks. The project<\/a> was initially funded in 2008 and should have been completed by 2020 at a cost of $33-45 billion. The cost has since ballooned to $231 billion and the project\u2019s first phase may not see completion until 2032.<\/p>\n\n