Trump Administration Proposal to Name Transit Hubs After Former President in Exchange for Project Funding

The Trump administration reportedly proposed a deal to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., involving the naming of Washington’s Dulles International Airport and New York’s Penn Station after then-President Donald Trump. This proposal was made in exchange for releasing federal funds needed for the construction of a major tunnel project between New York and New Jersey, according to multiple sources reported by NBC News.

The funding for the $16 billion Gateway project was initially halted with the onset of the federal government shutdown in fall. Despite the shutdown’s conclusion in November and the passage of full appropriations packages earlier this year, the administration had yet to allocate the funds.

Spanning a cost of $16.1 billion, this substantial endeavor aims to construct a new railway tunnel beneath the Hudson River, connecting New Jersey to New York. Although the project faced numerous setbacks and challenges over the years, it received a significant lifeline in 2024 when President Joe Biden’s administration consented to an additional $6.9 billion in financing.

White House budget director Russell Vought stated at the time that the halting of funds was intended to ensure that the money would not be used against unconstitutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles.

The states of New York and New Jersey have taken legal action to compel the administration to release the earmarked funds. The Gateway project has cautioned that without the required funding, construction may soon come to a standstill, potentially resulting in job losses for thousands of construction workers.

“Money for the project will run out Friday,” emphasized a source familiar with the situation.

The White House declined to provide any comments, and Schumer’s office did not respond to inquiries for their perspective. An anonymous source close to Schumer characterized the situation by stating, “there is nothing to trade.” They elaborated, “The president halted the funding, and he can restart it with a snap of his fingers.”

Punchbowl News initially reported the proposal, stirring reactions from politicians including Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., an Appropriations Committee member. In a statement issued on Thursday, she dismissed the notion as “ridiculous,” remarking, “These naming rights aren’t tradable as part of any negotiations, and neither is the dignity of New Yorkers.” She expressed concern over the high costs affecting New Yorkers under Trump tariffs, and urged the president to prioritize public welfare over personal interests, stating, “I demand that the president put people first and unfreeze this project and all others his administration holds hostage for personal gain.”

Former President Trump has a history of attempts to have his name associated with significant projects and landmarks. Notably, he launched ‘TrumpRX’, a website offering lower-cost prescription drugs, and proposed a pathway to permanent residence called the ‘Trump Gold Cards’. In December, he controversially branded the U.S. Institute of Peace with his name and faced opposition for a similar attempt with the Kennedy Center.

In Congress, a Republican House member sponsored a bill proposing Dulles International Airport to bear Trump’s name. However, this legislative attempt has seen little progress, having been referred to a subcommittee on aviation since February. Moreover, a state legislator in Florida proposed rebranding Palm Beach International Airport to include Trump’s name as well.

Compiled by Ryan Nobles and Garrett Haake from NBC News, with contributions from Raquel Coronell Uribe and Frank Thorp V.