Trump Denies Proposing to Rename Penn Station as 'Trump Station'

Former president pushes back on reports he offered to unfreeze Gateway tunnel funding in exchange for name change.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Former President Donald Trump denied that he proposed renaming New York's Penn Station as 'Trump Station' in exchange for unfreezing federal funding for the Gateway tunnel project. Trump criticized the Gateway project as a 'future boondoggle' but said the name change idea came from 'certain politicians and construction union heads, not me'.

Why it matters

The proposed Gateway tunnel project is a major infrastructure initiative that has faced political and funding challenges. Trump's denial of the reported name change offer adds to the ongoing debate around the project's future and highlights the former president's continued influence in shaping political narratives.

The details

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump pushed back on media reports that he offered to unfreeze billions in federal funds for the Gateway tunnel project if New York Democrats agreed to rename Penn Station after him. Trump called the Gateway project a 'future boondoggle' and said the name change idea was brought up by others, not him. The former president has previously frozen $16 billion in funding earmarked for the Gateway project.

  • On February 16, 2026, Trump posted his denial on Truth Social.
  • In October, Trump froze $16 billion in federal funding for the Gateway tunnel project.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who denied proposing to rename Penn Station as 'Trump Station'.

Chuck Schumer

The Senate Minority Leader from New York who reportedly rejected Trump's offer to rename Penn Station and Dulles International Airport.

Gateway tunnel project

A major infrastructure initiative to construct a new rail tunnel connecting New Jersey and New York City under the Hudson River.

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What they’re saying

“I am opposed to the future boondoggle known as 'Gateway,' in New York/New Jersey, because it will cost many BILLIONS OF DOLLARS more than projected or anticipated.”

— Donald Trump (Truth Social)

“Also, the naming of PENN Station (I LOVE Pennsylvania, but it is a direct competitor to New York, and 'eating New York's lunch!') to TRUMP STATION, was brought up by certain politicians and construction union heads, not me – IT IS JUST MORE FAKE NEWS! NO COST OVERRUNS!!!”

— Donald Trump (Truth Social)

What’s next

The future of the Gateway tunnel project remains uncertain as political and funding challenges continue. It is unclear if the Trump administration's opposition to the project will impact its progress under the current administration.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing political tensions surrounding major infrastructure projects like the Gateway tunnel, as well as the former president's continued influence in shaping public discourse around these issues. It underscores the need for bipartisan cooperation and pragmatic solutions to address the country's pressing infrastructure needs.