US President Donald Trump reprotedly proposed to release $16 billion in funding for New York's Hudson River tunnel project. In exchange, he wanted Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer to support renaming Washington Dulles Airport and New York Penn Station after him, according to a source cited by Reuters.
Schumer quickly rejected this offer, stating he lacked the authority to rename these landmarks.
The funding dispute has reached a critical point, with a US judge set to hear an emergency request from New York and New Jersey on Friday. If funding isn't restored, construction will stop, leaving 1,000 workers jobless. Trump had frozen the funding in October.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand strongly criticised Trump's proposal reports, saying, "These naming rights aren't tradable as part of any negotiations, and neither is the dignity of New Yorkers... 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 project, which received $15 billion in federal support during Joe Biden's presidency, is crucial for rail travel between New York and New Jersey. It includes repairing an existing tunnel and building a new one for Amtrak and commuter lines.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul responded playfully to Trump's offer by sharing a social media post showing Trump Tower renamed as "Hochul Tower."
Trump's desire to put his name on buildings and programs has been evident since returning to office for a second term. He has branded various Washington buildings, Navy warships, a visa program, a prescription drug website, and federal savings accounts. The Kennedy Center and the United States Institute of Peace building now bear his name following administrative changes.
Trump has specifically targeted Dulles Airport, which he called "a bad facility," for renovation. Some Republicans have proposed legislation to rename the airport, currently named after former Secretary of State John Foster Dulles, in Trump's honor.
The Treasury Department is also planning to feature Trump on a commemorative $1 coin for America's 250th independence anniversary in 2026.
