Trump Lashes Out Over 'Trump Station' Renaming Idea

President contradicts White House, claims politicians and union leaders suggested name change for Penn Station.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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President Donald Trump is lashing out over the idea of renaming New York's Penn Station as 'Trump Station', contradicting the White House's previous statement that Trump himself had 'floated' the proposal to Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Trump is now claiming that multiple politicians and union leaders suggested the name change, not him. The president also attacked the Gateway Tunnel project, calling it a 'future boondoggle'.

Why it matters

Trump's latest outburst highlights the ongoing tensions between the president and Democratic leaders over infrastructure projects in the Northeast. The renaming proposal and Trump's criticism of the Gateway Tunnel project raise questions about his willingness to work across the aisle on critical transportation needs.

The details

In a series of tweets, Trump claimed that the idea to rename Penn Station as 'Trump Station' was brought up by 'certain politicians and construction union heads, not me.' This contradicts the White House's previous statement that Trump himself had 'floated' the proposal to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Trump also attacked the Gateway Tunnel project, calling it a 'future boondoggle' that will 'cost many BILLIONS OF DOLLARS more than projected or anticipated' and be 'financially catastrophic for the region.'

  • On February 16, 2026, President Trump made the tweets criticizing the 'Trump Station' renaming idea and the Gateway Tunnel project.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, who has continued to focus on renaming New York's Penn Station as 'Trump Station' despite the White House's previous statements.

Karoline Leavitt

The White House press secretary, who had previously stated that President Trump 'floated' the idea of renaming Penn Station to 'Trump Station'.

Chuck Schumer

The Senate Democratic Minority Leader, who the White House had claimed Trump discussed the 'Trump Station' renaming proposal with.

Andy Kim

A U.S. Senator from New Jersey, who criticized Trump's remarks about the Gateway Tunnel project as a 'completely unhinged tantrum'.

Andrew Feinberg

The White House correspondent for The Independent, who questioned whether Trump thinks Penn Station was named after the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

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What they’re saying

“A completely unhinged tantrum from someone who didn't get their way. I don't know one person in NJ, Republican or Democrat, who doesn't see the power and value of the Gateway Tunnel Project.”

— Andy Kim, U.S. Senator (D-NJ) (Twitter)

“Does he think Penn Station was named after the Commonwealth?”

— Andrew Feinberg, White House Correspondent, The Independent (Twitter)

What’s next

It remains to be seen how President Trump's latest comments will impact ongoing negotiations over the Gateway Tunnel project and any potential renaming of Penn Station.

The takeaway

Trump's outburst highlights the continued partisan tensions over infrastructure projects in the Northeast, raising questions about the president's willingness to work with Democratic leaders on critical transportation needs for the region.