New York has been in the news lately for all the proposed changes it needs to keep pace with the world’s other upscale metropolitans. That means affordability measures, better amenities, and happier residents. For the city, the price tag comes to $16 billion for Penn Station and Washington’s Dulles International Airport. But reportedly, Donald Trump won’t release the funds unless the facilities are renamed to include his name.
In 2025, New York’s tax rate sat at 10.9% — the third highest in the U.S. — which suggests the city deserves amenities that match the price. Penn Station faces major capacity issues. Since its last reconstruction, the city has grown considerably. The good news: tax revenue has increased. The downside: Penn Station was originally built for 200,000 daily passengers and now handles 600,000.
Dulles International Airport faces similar strain, with statisticians estimating a 30% increase in passengers by 2030. A bipartisan infrastructure law is expected to fund these upgrades, but according to CNN, there’s a strange deterrent from the president. Trump — who already has a penchant for attaching his name to buildings — reportedly told Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer he would unfreeze the funding only if the station and airport bore his name.
New York and New Jersey are suing the administration over the freeze, calling it unlawful. Trump appears set to hold firm until he gets his way. His decision-making has long been criticized, but blocking national projects for, frankly, vanity, has left many baffled.
One user on X joked it might not be far-fetched for Trump to rename the nation the “United States of Trump.” Another added, “He stands in the way of already approved infrastructure projects but is willing to get out of the way if they’re named after him.”
🚨 What’s next up on the re- naming list … the United States of American becoming The United States of Trump by Executive Order to celebrate dear leaders June Birthday and our Nations 250th Birthday⁉️I shudder to think it’s a possibility.🚨 pic.twitter.com/ieLmNUisoH
— Kathleen Wimpelberg (@Jaksox) February 6, 2026
This shows his character…..or lack of. He stands in the way of already approved infrastructure projects but is willing to get out of the way if they’re named after him. Not because it’s something the people need.everything revolves around him and what he can get.
— Linda Krekey (@l_krekey) February 6, 2026
Trump has already introduced a string of federal initiatives bearing his name. The Trump Accounts would invest $1,000 in private equity for children born during his term. The Trump Card aims to make it easier for investors to gain U.S. citizenship after multi-million-dollar contributions. Recently, the administration launched TrumpRx for lower-priced prescriptions — and, of course, there’s the much-discussed Kennedy Center name update.
As New York gridlock continues, the Gateway Tunnel commission has warned that the frozen funding is vital. If things don’t change, 1,000 workers could be laid off. Construction had already begun before Trump’s second term, with most of the budget coming from the federal government. Once he returned to office, he froze the funding without explanation. Democrats insist the move is politically motivated.
Meanwhile, the GOP has reportedly moved to introduce legislation to rename Dulles. New Yorkers will have to wait until Trump sees his name on as much infrastructure as the law allows before any real progress can happen.
Even MAGA faithfuls would have to agree: there are far more important issues in the world than Trump’s vain pursuits. It’s just not always clear that he knows this. Thousands of jobs are on the line. Hundreds of thousands of people need better infrastructure. And this is their tax money.
The White House was reached for comment and declined to respond to this disgraceful report.
Published: Feb 6, 2026 12:39 pm