Trump rips into the ‘fake news’ narrative that he traded $16 billion for a nameplate, claiming the demand actually came from someone else entirely

President Trump is ripping into reports suggesting he tried to trade $16 billion in federal infrastructure funding for the privilege of renaming New York’s Penn Station after himself, claiming the idea originated with other people entirely, as reported by The Hill. The president took to his Truth Social platform, pushing back against what he called “fake news” narratives that suggested he offered to unfreeze the money in exchange for the naming rights.

President Trump clarified he did not initiate the discussion about renaming the iconic transportation hub “Trump Station.” He stated the idea was actually floated by others involved in the region’s politics and construction industry.

“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,” President Trump wrote. He finished the statement definitively, saying, “IT IS JUST MORE FAKE NEWS! NO COST OVERRUNS!!!”

The president had frozen the $16 billion earmarked for the critical Gateway tunnel project back in October

This project aims to construct a brand-new rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River, connecting New Jersey and New York City. The president’s post was a direct response to reports circulating earlier this month. Those reports alleged President Trump was ready to restore the funding if Democrats agreed to put his name not only on Penn Station but also on Northern Virginia’s Dulles International Airport.

Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader in the Senate, reportedly rejected this alleged offer. Senator Schumer apparently told the administration he didn’t even have the authority to make such a drastic name change, which would certainly be a huge undertaking for the region.

While he denied bringing up the name change himself, President Trump doubled down on his fundamental opposition to the Gateway project itself. He argues the massive undertaking is fundamentally flawed and will lead to financial ruin for the region, unlike the renaming of the Kennedy Center.

“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,” President Trump stated. He warned that the project will “be financially catastrophic for the region, unless hard work and proper planning is done, NOW, to avoid insurmountable future cost overruns.”

It’s interesting to note that the president also seemed to take a side swipe at the existing name of the station. Penn Station is currently named after the Pennsylvania Railroad, which was the original owner of the site. President Trump suggested the station shouldn’t be named after what he considers a direct economic competitor to New York. If you’re a New Yorker, you can probably understand the regional pride driving that sentiment.