Trump Reportedly Proposed $16 Billion Tunnel Funding in Exchange for Landmark Renaming
According to a Reuters source, former US President Donald Trump reportedly offered to release $16 billion in frozen funding for New York's critical Hudson River tunnel project. In a controversial quid pro quo, he allegedly sought Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer's support to rename Washington Dulles Airport and New York Penn Station after himself.
Schumer's Swift Rejection and Project Crisis
Senator Schumer quickly dismissed the proposal, stating he lacked the authority to rename these significant transportation landmarks. The funding dispute has escalated to a critical juncture, with a US judge scheduled to hear an emergency request from New York and New Jersey on Friday. If funding is not restored, construction will halt immediately, putting approximately 1,000 workers out of jobs. Trump had initially frozen this funding back in October.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued a strong condemnation of Trump's reported offer. "These naming rights aren't tradable as part of any negotiations, and neither is the dignity of New Yorkers," she stated. "The president continues to put his own narcissism over the good-paying union jobs this project provides and the extraordinary economic impact the Gateway tunnel will bring."
The Gateway Project's Importance and Political Reactions
The Gateway tunnel project, which received $15 billion in federal support during President Joe Biden's administration, is essential for rail travel between New York and New Jersey. It involves repairing an existing tunnel damaged during Hurricane Sandy and constructing a new tunnel for Amtrak and commuter rail lines.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul responded to Trump's offer with playful sarcasm, sharing a social media post that humorously renamed Trump Tower as "Hochul Tower." This highlighted the political tensions surrounding the proposal.
Trump's Pattern of Seeking Name Recognition
Since returning to office for a potential second term, Trump has demonstrated a consistent desire to attach his name to various buildings and programs. His administration has already rebranded multiple Washington buildings, Navy warships, a visa program, a prescription drug website, and federal savings accounts. Following administrative changes, both the Kennedy Center and the United States Institute of Peace building now bear his name.
Trump has specifically targeted Washington Dulles Airport for renovation, previously calling it "a bad facility." Some Republican lawmakers have proposed legislation to rename the airport, currently honoring former Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, in Trump's honor.
Commemorative Plans and Broader Implications
In a related development, the Treasury Department is planning to feature Trump on a commemorative $1 coin for America's 250th independence anniversary in 2026. This move further underscores the ongoing efforts to cement his legacy through naming rights and symbolic recognition.
The reported funding-for-renaming deal highlights the intersection of infrastructure politics, legacy building, and partisan negotiations in contemporary American governance. As the tunnel project faces imminent shutdown without funding, the stakes for regional transportation and economic stability remain exceptionally high.
