California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton announced in a post on X that he plans to cancel the state’s high-speed rail project and convert it into a “Government Failures National Monument.” The video accompanying the post contrasts a projected future under Hilton with one under rival Xavier Becerra, highlighting differences in gas prices, economic conditions, and the rail project’s status. Online users reacted after the post circulated, with many expressing support for ending the long-delayed initiative and praising the monument framing as a response to its costs and timeline.
The video shows a campaign-style advertisement that contrasts two possible futures for California. In one sequence, it depicts conditions “two years into Steve Hilton’s term as governor,” with the high-speed rail “canceled and turned into the national monument of government failures,” visitors seeing “the most expensive piece of concrete in human history,” and “gas at $3 a gallon.”
The clip then shifts to a second scenario “two years into Javier Becerra’s term,” where “gas has hit an all-time high of $8 a gallon” and “Becerra has raised taxes to pour another $2 billion into the railroad to nowhere.” It ends with the line “California’s future is still being written. Vote for Steve Hilton. Just try it.”
According to the post text, Hilton announced a plan to cancel the high-speed rail project and convert it into the “Government Failures National Monument.” The video does not show any official action or current construction sites; it presents a hypothetical comparison.
California’s high-speed rail effort has faced years of public and official scrutiny over rising cost estimates, delays, and limited progress, including federal reviews that have questioned the project’s path forward, though independent confirmation of the specific future outcomes shown in the ad is not available.
Responses to the Video of the California High-Speed Rail Proposal
Some users supported the idea, with one writing “Love it” and another calling it “Brilliant.” A commenter said, “That’s funny… every time I drive by the train to Nowhere I always think it needs to be turned into a park, but turning it into the Government Failures National Monument is an excellent idea.”
Others focused on the project’s costs and history. One wrote, “I’m old enough to remember the ‘bridges going nowhere’ in San Jose 1975.” Another noted, “We the people of California want a refund on this *expletive* show called a high-speed rail.”
Several expressed hope for Hilton’s campaign, including “I really hope you win.”
At the same time, some questioned the approach. One wrote, “Steve Hilton has no plans for anything; it’s actually hilarious. It’s just cut spending everywhere, cut revenue and hope the state survives.”
Another raised Hilton’s past role in UK politics, stating, “This is the same guy who made extravagant promises to Britons about Brexit. 10 years later, trillions lost, and the UK GDP is 8% LOWER. He had to flee England; his failure was so complete. He’s a conman.”
The post adds to ongoing public discussion of California’s high-speed rail project and the 2026 governor’s race. The video continues to circulate as users share views on the proposal and the candidates’ approaches.
