Trump met with about half a dozen construction and infrastructure firms at the White House earlier this month to discuss overhauling Dulles, including AECOM, which is working on Trump's White House ballroom project. Proposals included building new terminals, revamping the airport's layout, and eliminating the shuttles. One company reportedly suggested renaming the shuttles 'Direct Jet Transports' (DJTs) to appeal to Trump.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority already had a plan to overhaul Dulles and phase out shuttles within 15 years, but Trump officials feel those plans are moving too slowly and are looking for ways to make rapid improvements without waiting for Congress. Trump convened companies again on Wednesday to hear updated proposals. The White House reportedly told Schumer that Trump would unfreeze more than $16 billion for the Gateway Tunnel project if Schumer agreed to rename Penn Station and Dulles airport after Trump.
While American infrastructure crumbles, Trump would much rather prioritize selfish renaming over much-needed rebuilding.
Schumer rejected the offer, saying he did not have the authority to rename the transportation hubs. Democratic lawmakers responded with anger and mockery. Rep.
Jerry Nadler accused Trump of carrying out an 'extortion racket,' while Rep. ' New York Gov. Kathy Hochul's office responded with a tweet showing an altered image of Trump Tower renamed to Hochul Tower.
'I won't spend money on transportation infrastructure to make Americans' lives better unless you name buildings after me' is a level of narcissism and corruption rarely seen, and it makes Trump sound like a big baby.
California Gov. ' The hold on federal funding for the Gateway project remains in effect, and New York and New Jersey sued the Trump administration over the funding freeze earlier this week. Construction work for the Gateway tunnel faces an impending shutdown this Saturday, which could result in the loss of over 1,000 jobs.
Trump has pushed to rename several Washington facilities after himself, including the Kennedy Center and the Institute of Peace. Congressman Addison McDowell introduced legislation to rename Dulles as Donald J. Trump International Airport, co-sponsored by Congressmen Guy Reschenthaler, Brandon Gill, Riley Moore, and Brian Jack.
Counteroffer
In 2024, a Pennsylvania lawmaker's proposal to rename Dulles after Trump failed to advance out of committee. About 27 million passengers travel through Dulles each year, including 10 million international travelers, and the airport ranks below many major airports in passenger satisfaction. The Transportation Department has taken over Washington's Union Station.
An architectural firm released renderings of a grand 'Donald J. Trump' Terminal at Dulles, though officials did not comment on whether those plans were accepted.
As part of Donald Trump's revenge tour, his administration is illegally withholding Gateway Tunnel funding, risking thousands of jobs and jeopardizing America's most critical infrastructure project. We'll see them in court.