Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer shot down President Trump’s claim about renaming New York’s Penn Station. The Democratic leader called Trump’s statement an “absolute lie” after the president said Schumer had suggested the name change.
Schumer quickly responded on social media platform X after Trump’s remarks. “Absolute lie. He knows it. Everyone knows it,” Schumer wrote, firmly denying he ever proposed such an idea. According to The Hill, President Trump made the claim while talking to reporters on Air Force One.Â
He said Schumer “suggested that to me about changing the name of Penn Station to Trump Station.” Trump also mentioned that the Dulles Airport proposal was separate and not heavily involved with Congress.
The real issue involves a major infrastructure project, not naming rights
The disagreement connects to the Gateway tunnel project between New York and New Jersey. Last month, Schumer rejected Trump’s proposal to rename Penn Station and Washington Dulles International Airport after the president in exchange for over $16 billion in funding for the Gateway project. Schumer told Trump that making such a request was beyond his authority.
Schumer wants to focus on moving the infrastructure project forward, not discussing naming rights. He said the power to act belongs only to the president. “Only one man can restart the project and he can restart it with the snap of his fingers,” Schumer stated.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, another New York Democrat, called the reported renaming proposal “ridiculous.” Gillibrand said that “naming rights aren’t tradable as part of any negotiations, and neither is the dignity of New Yorkers.”
She argued that Trump is putting “his own narcissism” over the benefits the Gateway tunnel would bring while New Yorkers struggle with high costs from tariffs. The president has faced similar criticism from other lawmakers, including his recent attacks on Representative Omar.
This isn’t the first time Trump’s name has been suggested for major landmarks. There has been an ongoing push to add his name to several prominent buildings in Washington, D.C., continuing well over a year into his second term.
The idea to rename Dulles after Trump started shortly after he took office in 2025. Rep. Addison McDowell introduced a bill to rename the airport. McDowell said “It is only right that the two airports servicing our nation’s capital are duly honored and respected by two of the best presidents to have the honor of serving our great nation,” referring to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
In December, the U.S. Institute of Peace and the Kennedy Center both added Trump’s name to their buildings, causing pushback from USIP leadership and Kennedy family members. Reports also said Trump wanted the Washington Commanders’ new stadium named after him.
Meanwhile, Florida state senators recently moved forward with legislation to rename Palm Beach International Airport to “Donald J. Trump International Airport,” with all nine committee members, including three Democrats, voting yes. Trump’s recent foreign policy moves, including his claims about South Korea’s deal, show his focus on demanding what he sees as fair terms in various negotiations.
Published: Feb 7, 2026 02:15 pm