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Trump's False Claim About Hawaii Train Sparks Controversy

10/18/2025

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Summary

Story summary

During a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Donald Trump made an inaccurate claim that Senator Mazie Hirono wanted a train from the mainland to Hawaii.
Trump referenced a 2019 Hirono joke about misinformation on the Green New Deal, which right-wing commentators misinterpreted.
The New Republic suggested Trump’s remarks may indicate cognitive decline.
Hirono responded at the time with sarcasm, noting Hawaii’s geography makes such a proposal implausible.

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Story summary

During a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Donald Trump made an inaccurate claim that Senator Mazie Hirono wanted a train from the mainland to Hawaii.
Trump referenced a 2019 Hirono joke about misinformation on the Green New Deal, which right-wing commentators misinterpreted.
The New Republic suggested Trump’s remarks may indicate cognitive decline.
Hirono responded at the time with sarcasm, noting Hawaii’s geography makes such a proposal implausible.