Federal transportation officials are considering renaming New York Penn Station, according to a newly revealed Department of Transportation letter outlining priorities for the nation’s busiest rail hub.
A letter obtained by the New York Daily News on Wednesday shows Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy indicated he would “[d]irect Amtrak to rename New York Penn Station” as part of a broader list of objectives.
While the letter does not specify what the station’s new name would be, the proposal has drawn attention because President Donald Trump has previously expressed interest in seeing his name attached to the landmark transportation hub located beneath Madison Square Garden.
The issue first surfaced publicly in February, when reports claimed Trump sought to have both New York Penn Station and Washington’s Dulles International Airport renamed after him as part of negotiations over federal funding for a major rail infrastructure project.
According to those reports, Trump asked Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to agree to rename the two transportation facilities in exchange for releasing $16 billion designated for a new rail tunnel connecting New York and New Jersey.
The Trump administration had frozen those funds during the 2025 government shutdown, adding another layer of controversy to the infrastructure project.
The funding dispute, however, did not remain unresolved. A court order later reinstated the money, allowing the rail tunnel project to move forward despite the administration’s earlier decision to freeze the funds.
Trump also publicly rejected claims that he had demanded Penn Station be renamed after him.
In a Truth Social post, the president pushed back on the reports and insisted the idea did not originate with him.
“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 – IT IS JUST MORE FAKE NEWS! NO COST OVERRUNS!!!” Trump wrote.
Although the Department of Transportation letter references directing Amtrak to rename Penn Station, it does not identify what the proposed new name would be.
Meanwhile, another location previously mentioned in connection with the reported proposal appears unlikely to receive a new name.
According to the report, any effort to rename Washington’s Dulles International Airport is likely no longer under consideration after Florida’s Palm Beach Airport was officially renamed Donald J. Trump International Airport earlier this month.
Trump celebrated that renaming shortly after it became official, posting about the change on Truth Social.
“Wow! Palm Beach has always been a special place to me. So Beautiful!!! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” he wrote on July 11.
The president’s post also included a photograph of the front page of the Palm Beach Post featuring the headline, “‘A special moment’ Sons, 2 dozen officials first passengers to touch down after renaming.”
For now, the Department of Transportation’s letter has renewed attention on the possibility of a new name for New York Penn Station, though officials have not publicly identified what that name would ultimately be.
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