ALERT: Who’s Really Behind The California-Nevada High-Speed Rail
A decades-long high-speed rail project is slated to launch running between California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Many have said they’ve heard this song before and it will never happen, that it’s just a slush fund, but the documents say otherwise and the motives are questionable. The Biden regime, States, and investors want to see this project completed before the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, and Brightline West already has the land, federal reviews, labor agreements, and federal and state funding dialed in. There is a lot of history with this high-speed railway moving in and out of development and investment phases, and the current chain of ownership raises big questions.
On the surface, it would appear as though Brightline West will be the owner and operator of this railway with up to 200mph “net zero” electric trains running between Las Vegas to Rancho Cucamonga and on to Los Angeles. However, it’s a little more complicated than that, with several twists and turns along the way.
When one contemplates the invasion the U.S. is undergoing along the border and everything else on the horizon, one can’t help but wonder if a high-speed rail off to the desert is going to come in handy, especially with the operation launch to take place during an election year. And, it doesn’t stop at the end of the tracks in Vegas. Brightline’s proprietary and green platform called Brightline+ will manage a myriad of accommodations upon arrival. Not to mention the recent purchase of 300 acres on August 15th by Amazon near Eldorado Valley, just 25 minutes away from the new up-and-coming station. Amazon still hasn’t disclosed what this land is intended for. Perhaps a giant distribution facility that can employ all the newcomers?
This is about a lot more than just this one rail, and it’s a “blueprint” for high-speed rails throughout the country, with a goal to get people out of their cars, off the roads, and achieve “net zero.” Sure, traveling at high-speed sounds wonderful, unless it’s to replace one’s vehicle and requires a digital ID and high social credit score to climb aboard. The fact that critical infrastructure in the U.S. has been and is being built, and run and operated by forces outside the U.S., should raise concerns for everyone. And that’s just for starters. There’s much more to this story.
This investigative report will reveal:
• Billions Going to Railways
• The Chain of Ownership of Brightline West Does Not Originate in The U.S.
• CFIUS Review Over UAE and China Connections for Fortress Purchase
• Who is Fortress Investment Company
• Filing Against Brightline Holdings and Morgan Stanley for Allegedly Committing Fraud
• Brightline West’s Operation and Partners
• Timeline: Biden, Xi, Putin, MBZ, and High-Speed Rail Investors
$66 Billion to Railways with $3 Billion Going to California-Nevada High-Speed Rail
On November 5, 2021, Congress passed the “Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act” (H.R.3684), which consisted of $1.2 trillion in nefarious investments. Corey’s Digs broke down the 2740-page bill in easy to read sections showing where all of these funds are allegedly going. Roads and bridges took first place at $110 billion, followed by the power grid at $73 billion, and railways for a cool $66 billion.
On December 8, 2023, Biden announced the allocation of $3 billion for the high-speed rail from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. But Brightline is also receiving state funding. Overall, the project is estimated to cost $12 billion.
The White House press release sums it all up, including that “Brightline’s agreement with the California State and Southern Nevada Building Trades will ensure that this project is built with good-paying union labor, and the project has reached a separate agreement with Rail Labor to employ union workers for its ongoing operations and maintenance.”
Brightline has already secured the right of way in the median of Interstate 15 in order to build the high-speed tracks, plus they have secured the land for four stations, and already received a $25 million federal grant back in June for the construction of two stations in California. Private capital and at least $2 billion in tax-exempt private activity bonds would finance the rest. The financial breakdown with the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank, underwritten by Morgan Stanley, can be viewed here. Brightline also received $500,000 from the Federal Railroad Administration. In 2020, Nevada had awarded $200 million of private activity bonds.
Biden’s twitter page revealed three additional tweets on the new railway December 8th:
“We’re building the first high-speed rail projects in our nation’s history. It’s part of an $8.2 billion investment we’re making in 10 major passenger rail projects across America. We’re putting high-speed rail on the fast track.”
“Our California-Nevada rail project is expected to carry over 11 million passengers a year – and will be 100% powered by renewable energy. And it is going to create 35,000 good-paying jobs, including 10,000 union jobs.”
“Together, we’re finally going to make high-speed rail happen between Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Folks have been talking about this rail project for decades. Now, we’re actually getting it done.”
On December 9, Biden tweeted “My Administration is delivering $66 billion in passenger rail from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. That’s the biggest investment since the creation of Amtrak.”
The Chain of Ownership Does Not Originate in The U.S.
Most reports like to refer to Brightline West as a “private group” or a “project,” but it’s far more interwoven than they would have one believe, and it tracks all the way outside the U.S.
Originally, the project was started by DesertXpress in 2005 by Anthony A. Marnell II through his DX, LLC, which later changed names to XpressWest in 2012. Struggling to bring several railway projects to life, in September 2015 they went into a joint venture with China Railway International USA, which is a group of Chinese rail companies. They hit a hiccup in 2016 when trying to get a federal loan because of regulations that required the manufacturing of the trains to be inside the U.S. and over concerns the plan would fail, so XpressWest called off the joint venture.
Meanwhile, over in Florida, an intercity rail route run by Brightline Trains LLC, a subsidiary of Fortress Investment Group, had begun development of their line in 2012, which later became operational in 2018 and has continued its expansion since. Brightline was originally a subsidiary of Florida East Coast Industries, which was acquired by Fortress Investment Group in 2007. Brightline is the only privately owned and operated passenger railroad in the U.S.
Quick side note: Brightline struck a licensing agreement with Richard Branson’s Virgin Enterprises in 2018 to rebrand as Virgin Trains USA, but Brightline later pulled out, arguing that Virgin had “ceased to constitute a brand of international high repute, largely because of matters related to the pandemic,” likely referencing when Virgin Atlantic was seeking financial support from the British government when travel was grounded. Richard Branson sued Brightline Holdings and won his case in October of this year. He is seeking $246 million in damages.
The same year Brightline launched in Florida, on September 18, 2018, Fortress Investment Group announced they were acquiring XpressWest under Brightline Holdings LLC to develop the new “federally approved” rail system connecting Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada, rebranding it as Brightline West.
Let’s back up for a second. How was it federally approved after XpressWest had long struggled with getting federal funding and approval? Siemens Mobility, a division of Siemens with their headquarters in Munich and a plant in California, manufactured five train sets for Florida’s Brightline operation, and is now lobbying lawmakers and the Biden administration, along with Alstom who has headquarters in France and a plant in New York, in a battle to supply the passenger coaches and high speed cars for Brightline West. So China is out, but Germany or France may be in. Or is China really out? There are a couple more twists to this.
Let’s back up just a little further. Just one year prior to all of this coming to a head in 2018 with the launch of Brightline in Florida and the acquisition of now-Brightline West, SoftBank Group Corp headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, had acquired Fortress Investment Group, the parent company to Brightline Holdings LLC. Fortress Investment Group LLC was found in 1998 by Wesley R. Edens, Rob Kauffman, and Randal A. Nardone, and is headquartered in New York City, managing over $45 billion in assets. They went public on the NYSE in February 2007. SoftBank Group acquired them for $3.3 billion in cash on December 27, 2017.
To nutshell all of that, Fortress Investment Group bought up Brightline years back and launched the Brightline railway in Florida, then Tokyo-based SoftBank bought up Fortress and XpressWest in back-to-back years to be rebranded as Brightline West under the parent company Fortress. Brightline West was to be the west coast rail going from Southern California to Las Vegas, and they moved full steam ahead to make it happen, but it took some time.
Unfortunately for SoftBank Group, they were having tough times with some of their other investments and in May 2023, agreed to sell its 90% stake in Fortress Investment Group to Fortress’s management and Abu Dhabi-based sovereign-wealth fund Mubadala Investment Company. It is an Emirati state-owned holding company established in 2017 when the International Petroleum Investment Company and then-named Mubadala Development Company merged. Mubadala is the second biggest state fund in Abu Dhabi and has over $275 billion in assets under management. If the deal closes, Mubadala Capital will own 70% of Fortress and Fortress’s management team will own 30%. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2024. Or is it?
Which brings us back to China. By July 2023, Mubadala allegedly began seeking U.S. investors to reduce its 70% stake in Fortress in order to obtain U.S. regulatory sign-off on their deal with SoftBank Group’s ownership over scrutiny because of the UAE’s connections with China. However, back in 2019, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) had signed off on Mubadala’s 10% stake in Fortress. They are now seeking approval for another 60% stake.
CFIUS Review Over UAE and China Connections for Fortress Purchase
Mubadala is under review by CFIUS to purchase an additional 60% stake in Fortress, which is common when foreign companies buy interests in companies operating in the U.S. According to a Bloomberg report, CFIUS is reviewing several multibillion-dollar deals this year over concerns of national security risks. They also reported that “the value of acquisitions and investments by Gulf funds into the Asian country has climbed to $2.3 billion in 2023 from about $100 million last year.” They go on to say that Biden officials have expressed concerns that “critical technology, infrastructure and data that get to the UAE could potentially end up in the hands of Beijing.”
Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE’s Ambassador to the U.S. stated that “the UAE is working closely and positively with the U.S., including CFIUS, to facilitate and expand trade and investment while securing and protecting sensitive technologies, data and intellectual property.”
Unfortunately, CFIUS doesn’t make the details of these “reviews” public. CFIUS is an inter-agency committee that is chaired by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen along with representatives from Biden’s cabinet. “Consistent with law and practice, CFIUS does not publicly comment on transactions that it may or may not be reviewing,” the Treasury spokesperson said.
After Biden rolled out the red carpet for China’s President Xi Jinping in November, along with Biden’s longtime ties with the corrupt Chinese Communist Party leadership, it’s hard for people to believe that the Biden regime is overly concerned about U.S. national security when it comes to China, or the border, or much of anything else in between his naps.
As of April, 2023, it was alleged that China resumed building a military base in the UAE that was previously halted due to U.S. concerns.
While this “review” has been taking place, Mubadala just opened an office in Beijing in September. Their team of 10 are focused on direct investments and fund investments in the country, according to a Reuters report. Their portfolio in China includes SHEIN, Hasten Biopharmaceuticals, and JD Industrials. Mubadala had been working with China for a few years but the “pandemic” restrictions delayed their office from opening. At the formal opening of their office, several prominent Chinese private equity investors attended the event.
On December 7th, Mubadala’s CEO Khaldoon Al Mubarak said that they will be shifting toward Asia but that “the U.S. will remain I think an unbelievably attractive market and a key market for us.” He went on to say that “the growth is in the east today…It’s in big economies that are growing, and we didn’t have as much of a focus on that in the last 10 years. We have a lot more focus today. And we’re building up that capability,” referencing India and Southeast Asia.
The following day, the UAE asked BRICS countries to use local currencies instead of the U.S. dollar in oil trade as they recently did in September when they shipped over 1 million barrels of oil to India with payment in the Rupee.
The UAE is expected to become a member of BRICS in January, 2024.
Fortress Investment Company and A Filing Against Them and Morgan Stanely for Alleged Fraud
Last week, Wes Edens, co-founder of Fortress and chairman of Brightline, said in a statement that his company is ready to bring “our vision of American-made, American-built, world-class, state-of-the-art high-speed train travel to America.” This entire statement is questionable when taking into account that every company involved is owned by a company who’s headquarters and origins are based in other countries. Edens also noted that this project will serve as a blueprint for repeating it throughout the country.
It’s important to note that Fortress has other railways in multiple states, which can be reviewed here and here. Plus, countless subsidiaries, such as FTAI Aviation Ltd and Fortress Transportation and Infrastructure Investors LLC. Both are heavily involved with producing or procuring equipment, jet engines, modules, and infrastructure that are essential for aviation and the transportation of goods and people. For perspective, the top shareholders of FTAI Aviation Ltd are the Vanguard Group, Washington State Investment Board, and Blackrock. Vanguard is also the top shareholder of Fortress Transportation and Infrastructure Investors. According to an SEC document, they have over 150 subsidiaries, though this doesn’t appear to be the most current list.
Their primary focus industries seem to be on financial services, transportation, real estate, energy & infrastructure, and healthcare. They have also disclosed how they have achieved “carbon neutrality” and that they incorporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) into their investment decision making. They also stress the awards they’ve received for their achievements in diversity and inclusion.
Additionally, one of their philanthropic partners is “Partners in Health” (PIH), who Corey’s Digs has covered in numerous reports. The ties to the AIDS agenda, the Clintons, Jim Yong Kim, and hundreds of NGOs is too much to document here. Paul Farmer and Jim Yong Kim, both co-founders of PIH, were at the forefront of the contact tracing agenda during the COVID-19 scheme. Imagining any of these folks involved with a high-speed rail makes one’s hair stand on end.
Fortress may have set out with good intentions, but given the language they use and company they keep, it would seem they have potentially been co opted and compromised by globalists. So it significantly MATTERS as to what country and people are driving this train, especially since it is a “blueprint” for more high-speed rails across the country.
On September 18, 2023, a Petition for Declaratory Relief was filed by a group of nine lending companies against Fortress’s Brightline Holdings and over a dozen of its subsidiaries plus Morgan Stanley Senior Funding Inc., for allegedly committing fraud and being in breach of the Credit Agreement by scheming to avoid having to pay plaintiffs the promised Make-Whole Amount for their contribution to loans, whereby they are owed a minimum of $750 million dollars. Apparently, “Brightline holdings, a high-speed railroad company, borrowed hundreds of millions of dollars. Morgan Stanley made the initial loan and also served as the Administrative Agent.” It’s a whopper of a read, with a lot of alleged scheming by Brightline Holdings and Morgan Stanley pulling some shifty moves.
Brightline West’s Operation
According to Brightline West, the plan, the deal, and operations will move forward as follows:
The Route
At speeds up to 200 miles per hour, trains will take passengers from Las Vegas to Rancho Cucamonga in just 2 hours and 10 minutes, twice as fast as the normal drive time. (Side note: it’s not really “twice as fast” but it’s a marketing tactic.)
Las Vegas Location
“It will be located near the Las Vegas Strip on a 110-acre property north of Blue Diamond Road between I-15 and Las Vegas Boulevard.”
In reviewing the tax assessor documents, it indicates that it will be directly across from Las Vegas South Premium Outlets. Four parcels were purchased in July, 2021 under the name DesertXpress Enterprises LLC to the tune of $140 million. That said, all four parcels in total are just shy of 20 acres. Abutting the north end is a large 64-acre parcel jointly owned by Wykoff Newberg Corporation and International Smelting Company. Adjoining the east and south ends are a combination of numerous parcels at roughly 118 acres, all owned by multiple companies (see next paragraph). Under planning and zoning, all of the parcels in this entire sector are for mixed-use entertainment and a commercial resort.
On October 4, 2022, all of these parcels were secured under multiple companies all owned by Fortress: Florida East Coast Industries LLC, Florida Investment Holidsing LLC, Brightline Holdings LLC, BL West Holdings LLC, BL West Acquisitions LLC, BL Train Holdings West LLC, and DesertXpress Enterprises LLC. Then, on November 3, 2023, the list of companies slightly changed to include: BL Train Holdings West LLC, BL West Acquisitions LLC, BL West Holdings LLC, BL Property Holdings West LLC, and LV Property Holdings One LLC.
Investment
“Brightline West’s $12 billion investment will support over 10,000 union jobs during construction and about 900 permanent union jobs.”
Contracts
“In partnership with Southern Nevada and California Building Trades, we are committing our contractors to enter into project labor agreements to support over 10,000 direct field jobs during construction. Inclusive of jobs that go into materials production, transportation, and other key elements to constructing the system, Brightline West will support more than 35,000 jobs across the construction period. At operations, Brightline West is expected to support over 1,000 permanent jobs, about 900 of those being union roles.
We’ll be working with our contractors closely on the subcontracting process.”
Transportation once arrive at Las Vegas
“At our Las Vegas station, you’ll find easy access to rideshare, taxis, and public transportation. In addition, we envision providing a privately-operated rideshare option, through our proprietary and green platform, Brightline+, for seamless last-mile connectivity. We also plan to work with Las Vegas resorts to accommodate guests from the moment they arrive at the station.”
Notable Facts About Their Team
Brightline’s Executive Vice President of Development and Infrastructure Construction, Les Snyder, was formerly president of S&B USA, which is a U.S. subsidiary of Israel’s largest construction, real estate development, and energy investment company, Shikun and Binui Ltd. Snyder procured public-private partnerships and led the U.S. operations.
Ben Porritt, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, previously worked on political campaigns for John McCain and President George W. Bush.
Timeline: Biden, Xi, Putin, MBZ, and High-Speed Rail Investors
2005
DesertXpress under DX, LLC launched the high-speed rail project
2007
Fortress Investment Group acquired Florida East Coast Industries, which included their subsidiary Brightline Trains LLC
2012
• DesertXpress rebranded as XpressWest
• Brightline Trains LLC began operations on their Florida rail line
2015
XpressWest went into a joint venture with China Railway International USA
2016
XpressWest called off the joint venture with China Railway International USA due to the inability to get federal funding over regulations
2017
SoftBank Group out of Tokyo acquired Fortress Investment Group out of NYC
2018
• Brightline rail system in Florida became operational, which is the only privately owned and operated passenger railroad in the U.S.
• Fortress Investment Group acquired XpressWest and rebranded it to Brightline West under Brightline Holdings LLC
May 22, 2023
Tokyo-based SoftBank Group and Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala Investment Company announced a deal for Mubadala to purchase a 70% stake in Fortess Investment Group
June/July, 2023
Scrutiny of Mubadala acquiring SoftBank’s ownership in Fortress due to China ties, so they began seeking U.S. partners
September, 2023
Mubadala opened its new office in Beijing
November 14, 2023Biden rolled out the red carpet for President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China, in San Francisco, California
December 6, 2023
Russian President Vladimir Putin flew to Abu Dhabi to meet with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Russia’s main trading partner in the Arab world
December 8, 2023
• Biden announced that he’s giving $3 billion toward the California-Nevada high-speed rail
• The UAE asked BRICS countries to use local currencies instead of the U.S. dollar in oil trade as they recently did in September when they shipped over 1 million barrels of oil to India with payment in the Rupee
January 1, 2024
The UAE is expected to become an official member of BRICS
Runaway Train
No matter how you slice it, with the exception of potential union labor workers on this project, everything from the manufacturing to the operations and ownership, are all companies whose headquarters are in other countries. So when the media says, “Fortress is a U.S. company located in New York,” and “Brightline West is a private group and project” to bring a high-speed rail to California and Nevada, don’t be fooled.
If this deal does close with the UAE, who is embedded with China and expected to become part of BRICS next month, they now have another slice of U.S. infrastructure. If it doesn’t go through, who will Tokyo-based SoftBank find to take Fortress off their hands? One thing is for sure, no one is getting on that train without a digital ID and high social credit score by the time 2028 rolls around.
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