Penn Station could be rebranded after Trump administration pushes for name change
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said rebranding is a priority after President Trump floated the idea of naming the station after him. What you need to know.
Federal officials are working on renaming Penn Station after President Donald Trump previously floated the idea of renaming the transit hub’s station after him, according to a letter written by the Department of Transportation. Sean Duffy.
According to reports, Duffy sent a memo to three Senate committees this week stating that renaming the largest transportation hub is an “administrative priority.” However, he did not say what the new name would be.
The potential name change comes as the Trump administration moves forward with efforts to renovate New York City stations. The station is the busiest transportation hub in the country, with approximately 600,000 travelers visiting each day. However, this hub is known for being disruptive to visitors and commuters alike as it requires updates.
The Department of Transportation and Amtrak project is scheduled to begin in 2027, and proposals have been flying around for months about what could be done, from relocating the iconic arena’s rooftop to changing its name. Officials say Madison Square Garden will ultimately remain, but new renderings of the project show new stores, cleaner and safer rail platforms, and a less disruptive layout.
Trump, a former New York City resident, reportedly issued an ultimatum to lawmakers in February, saying he would waive federal funding for construction of a new tunnel between New York and New Jersey. If they wanted the cash, Penn Station had to be renamed after him, according to NBC News at the time.
“After months of hiding from the public, Sean Duffy has acknowledged that the Trump administration is pursuing a hostile takeover of Penn Station, including delivering on Trump’s dream of renaming Penn Station after him,” Congressman Jerry Nadler wrote in a letter to X in response to the name change report. Penn Station is within his district of New York City.
“We firmly oppose this ridiculous proposal, and we demand a renewed response regarding the funding source.”
The Department of Transportation did not immediately respond when asked by USA TODAY what names were being considered.
