Trump Reportedly Sought to Rename Penn Station in Secret Billionaire Meeting
President Donald Trump allegedly attempted to leverage a secret meeting with a fellow billionaire to have his name added to one of New York City's most iconic landmarks, according to a new report. The president is said to have pushed for Penn Station to be renamed after himself following a private discussion with James Dolan, the billionaire owner of the New York Knicks.
Details of the Secret Meeting Emerge
Dolan serves as the executive chairman of Madison Square Garden Entertainment, which operates the famous arena situated directly above Pennsylvania Station. Penn Station is widely regarded as the busiest train station in the entire United States, handling millions of commuters and travelers annually.
"President Trump is focused on saving our country – not garnering recognition," stated Davis Ingle, a spokesperson for the White House, when questioned about the allegations. Ingle continued, "While we don’t comment on private meetings that may or may not have happened, President Trump undoubtedly supports a strong and revitalized Penn Station that can better serve New York and New Yorkers."
Previous Attempts to Rename Landmarks
This is not the first time Trump has reportedly tried to stamp his name on the station. Earlier this year, in January, sources told CNN that the president offered to unfreeze billions of dollars in funding for a major infrastructure project in exchange for renaming both Penn Station and Washington Dulles International Airport.
Trump allegedly made this offer to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who rejected the proposal and informed the president that he did not possess the authority to grant such a request. The president later dismissed these reports as "FAKE NEWS" on his Truth Social platform.
Political Backlash and Opposition
In March, New York Governor Kathy Hochul firmly shut down speculation about adding Trump's name to the Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station. When asked by reporters if Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan's name should remain on the building, she declared, "It will, over my dead body." Hochul added emphatically, "We are not messing with that man’s memory."
That same month, sources revealed to The Gothamist that the president was willing to rebuild Penn Station and relocate Madison Square Garden if its owner agreed to the plan. A delegation of Trump supporters had reportedly suggested this ambitious proposal during a meeting at the White House in September.
Proposed Redesign and Current Plans
Under the proposed redesign, Penn Station would be transformed with a Greco-Roman architectural style and fitted with a glass roof to allow natural light to flood the interior. The redevelopment of Penn Station has become increasingly controversial in recent months, with the Department of Transportation announcing in April 2025 that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority would be withdrawing from the project.
Instead, control of the initiative was handed over to the federally funded Amtrak. Currently, three proposals are being carefully evaluated for the redevelopment of Penn Station, according to an official Amtrak statement. A final decision on the future of this critical transport hub is expected to be made in May and announced publicly in June.
History of Renaming Landmarks
During his time in office, Trump has overseen the renaming of several major landmarks after himself. In December, the Kennedy Center was rebranded as the Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. That same month, the State Department announced that the U.S. Institute of Peace was being renamed to "reflect the greatest dealmaker in our nation’s history."
"Welcome to the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace," the State Department wrote on social media platform X. "The best is yet to come." The Independent has reached out to Madison Square Garden Entertainment for comment on the latest allegations regarding the secret meeting and renaming proposal.
