Schumer Denies Trump's Claim on Renaming Penn Station

Senator says Trump's statement that Schumer proposed the idea is an "absolute lie"

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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New York Senator Chuck Schumer has denied President Donald Trump's claim that Schumer suggested renaming New York's Penn Station after the president in exchange for the lifting of a freeze on federal funds for a major infrastructure project. Trump told reporters that Schumer pitched the idea to him, but Schumer quickly refuted the statement, calling it an "absolute lie".

Why it matters

This dispute highlights the ongoing political tensions between Schumer and Trump, as well as the broader debate over infrastructure funding and the naming of public spaces. The potential renaming of a major transportation hub like Penn Station would be a significant political and symbolic gesture.

The details

Earlier this week, reports emerged claiming that Trump told Schumer he would agree to unfreeze $205 million in federal funds for a $16 billion New York infrastructure project if Schumer agreed to rename New York's Penn Station and Virginia's Dulles International Airport after him. On Friday, Trump told reporters that Schumer had suggested the Penn Station renaming to him. However, Schumer quickly refuted Trump's claim, calling it an "absolute lie" on X.

  • On Friday, February 6, 2026, Trump told reporters that Schumer had suggested the Penn Station renaming to him.
  • Shortly after Trump made the comment, Schumer posted his rebuttal on X.

The players

Chuck Schumer

The Democratic Senator from New York who has denied Trump's claim that he suggested renaming Penn Station.

Donald Trump

The former president who claimed that Schumer suggested renaming Penn Station after him in exchange for infrastructure funding.

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What they’re saying

“He suggested that to me. Chuck Schumer suggested that to me, about changing the name of Penn Station to Trump Station.”

— Donald Trump (The Independent)

“Absolute lie.”

— Chuck Schumer, Senator (X)

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the ongoing political tensions between Schumer and Trump, as well as the broader debate over infrastructure funding and the naming of public spaces. The potential renaming of a major transportation hub like Penn Station would be a significant political and symbolic gesture.