In a controversial political maneuver, President Donald Trump has reportedly conditioned the release of $16 billion in federal funding for the critical Hudson River tunnel project on Democratic support for renaming two major American transportation hubs in his honor. According to multiple sources, the White House proposed last month that Senator Chuck Schumer endorse renaming Washington Dulles International Airport and New York’s Penn Station after the president in exchange for lifting the funding freeze imposed last October.\n\nThe proposal, first reported by Punchbowl News, was immediately rejected by Senator Schumer who asserted he lacked authority to authorize such renaming decisions. The political standoff comes as a federal judge prepares to hear an emergency request from New York and New Jersey officials to restore funding for the Gateway Program, which faces imminent construction shutdown that would displace approximately 1,000 workers.\n\nNew York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand characterized Trump’s proposal as \”ridiculous,\\” stating that \”these naming rights aren’t tradable as part of any negotiations, and neither is the dignity of New Yorkers.\” She accused the president of prioritizing \”his own narcissism over the good-paying union jobs\” the project would create.\n\nThe Gateway Program, which received substantial federal support during the Biden administration, represents one of the nation’s most crucial infrastructure initiatives. The project involves critical repairs to existing Amtrak tunnels beneath the Hudson River and construction of new passageways that serve as vital connectors between New Jersey and Manhattan.\n\nThis incident reflects Trump’s demonstrated preference for attaching his name to prominent institutions. Since returning to office in January, the Trump administration has affixed the president’s name to numerous federal buildings, a new class of Navy warships, a visa program for wealthy foreigners, and even the United States Institute of Peace building. In December, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts added Trump’s name to the institution following a board takeover.\n\nNew York Governor Kathy Hochul responded to the proposal with sarcasm, offering a \”counteroffer\” that suggested renaming Trump Tower as \”Hochul Tower.\” Meanwhile, legislative efforts by Congressional Republicans to formally rename Dulles Airport after Trump continue, though aviation officials express concerns about the potential disruption such a change would cause to the major United Airlines hub.
Trump to release $16-billion NY tunnel funding if major US hubs renamed after him
