Trump Said He’d Restore Gateway Tunnel Funds — But Only If Penn Station And Dulles Were Renamed After Him

In October, President Donald Trump halted federal funding for the $16 billion Gateway tunnel project — a critical infrastructure effort to link New York and New Jersey with two rail tubes serving the broader region. The suspension threatened major construction delays and significant layoffs.

Recent reporting says the White House signaled a willingness to restore the funds only after a condition: Trump allegedly told Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer he would release the money if Democrats agreed to rename Dulles International Airport and New York’s Penn Station after the president.

What Trump Told Reporters

When asked about the reports during a brief Q&A aboard Air Force One, Trump did not issue a straightforward denial. Instead, he said the renaming idea was proposed to him by others. "He suggested that to me," Trump said. "Chuck Schumer suggested that to me about changing the name. ... It was suggested to me by numerous people, unions, Democrats, Republicans, a lot of people suggested."

Schumer’s Response

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer quickly rejected the account, calling the claim an "absolute lie." The conflicting statements have intensified partisan criticism and fueled questions about whether the president conditioned federal infrastructure funding on political or personal favors.

Legal Developments

On Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Jeannette Vargas issued a preliminary order blocking the administration from suspending Gateway funds. The ruling allows investment in the project to continue while broader legal challenges are adjudicated, but it does not resolve the underlying disputes.

Why This Matters

Critics say the episode reads like an attempt to extract personal honors in exchange for restoring critical public funding. Supporters of accountability argue that conditioning federal infrastructure dollars on renaming public facilities would be an unprecedented and improper use of executive leverage. The controversy also highlights how partisan norms and enforcement differ depending on the administration involved.

Bottom line: The Gateway project remains funded for now, but the political and legal battles are ongoing, and the episode has raised sharp ethical and political questions about how federal funding decisions are being made.

This article updates related earlier coverage. Originally published on ms.now.