Trump Offers To Restore Tunnel Funding If Transit Hubs Are Renamed
Trump told Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer he'd lift a hold on billions for the Hudson River tunnel if Penn Station and Dulles were renamed for him, according to sources.
Overview
President Donald Trump told Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer he would consider restoring $16 billion in federal funding for the Hudson River tunnel project if Schumer backed renaming New York's Penn Station and Dulles International Airport after Trump, three sources said.
The administration halted congressionally approved funding in October, with reports variously citing $16 billion and $18 billion and prompting an emergency hearing set for Feb. 6 as work on the Gateway tunnel slowed, according to project officials and court records.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer rejected the naming proposal and said he lacked authority to rename Amtrak-owned Penn Station, and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York called the idea "ridiculous" in a public statement.
Construction on the Gateway/Hudson River tunnel paused on Feb. 6, putting about 1,000 construction workers' jobs at risk and stopping work on what project officials describe as the nation's largest rail infrastructure project.
New York and New Jersey filed a federal lawsuit this week seeking restoration of the funds and a federal judge was scheduled to hold an emergency hearing on Feb. 6, court filings show, while the White House did not confirm the renaming request.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story to emphasize impropriety and political retaliation: using loaded descriptors ("unusual offer," "targeted as leverage"), foregrounding critical Democratic quotes and job risks, and linking Trump's naming requests to prior self-branding efforts. Structural choices prioritize negative consequences (halted construction, lawsuit) over mitigating context.
Sources (3)
FAQ
The Hudson River tunnel project, known as Gateway, is a $16 billion rail infrastructure initiative to build a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River between New York City and New Jersey, along with upgrades to existing Amtrak tunnels.[1]
The Trump administration halted congressionally approved funding starting October 1, 2025, citing concerns over compliance with diversity policies in contracts, such as the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, though sources also mention a proposed renaming deal.[1]
Trump offered to restore the $16 billion funding if Schumer supported renaming Penn Station in New York and Dulles International Airport after him; Schumer rejected it, stating he lacks authority over Amtrak-owned Penn Station.[5]
Construction paused on February 6, 2026, risking immediate loss of 1,000 jobs and up to 11,000 more, with over $1 billion already spent; sites are winding down but equipment remains for potential short pause.[1]
The Gateway Development Commission sued for breach of contract seeking over $200 million; New York and New Jersey filed a separate lawsuit, with an emergency federal court hearing on February 6, 2026.
History
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