Trump's Threat to Halt Hudson River Tunnel Construction Sparks Outrage Among Blue-Collar Supporters
President Donald Trump is facing backlash from his own blue-collar supporters over his administration's decision to withhold funding for the long-awaited Hudson River tunnel project, a move that could leave thousands of construction jobs at risk. The $16 billion project, one of the largest public works initiatives in the country, has been years in the making and was championed by Trump himself during his 2024 campaign.
However, just over a year into his second term, it appears that Trump's administration is now on course to sabotage the project unless Democrats in Congress agree to fully fund it. The move has left many union workers, including those who voted for Trump in previous elections, feeling betrayed and angry.
"I know that," said Ronald Sirois, an ironworker with 34 years of experience, who spoke out at a recent Gateway commission meeting. "This is not you, Mr. Trump, this is not what you are about." Sirois was joined by other union representatives who expressed their outrage and disappointment over the administration's actions.
Mike Hellstrom, a vice president of the Laborers' International Union of North America, compared the Hudson Tunnel project to iconic American infrastructure projects such as the Hoover Dam and the interstate highway system. "The Hudson Tunnel is our generation's next big thing," he said. "It is the very definition of American first."
However, labor leaders have historically backed Democrats, and many rank-and-file union members are growing increasingly Republican despite Trump's moves that put their jobs at risk. Norman Brown, a labor boss from New York State, warned that Trump's actions could undo the support for his own party.
"If he wants to make Biden look good, kill the Gateway project," Brown said. Robert Fawcett, a union member who worked on an earlier attempt to build new Hudson River tunnels, added, "I do not see how terminating this project is putting America first. It's definitely not putting my union brothers and sisters first."
The move has also been criticized by Democrats from New York and New Jersey, who signed a letter to Trump asking him to unlock the funding for the project. Republican officials, however, declined to sign the letter.
As Congress gears up for the midterm elections this year, labor leaders are warning that playing politics with crucial infrastructure projects like the Hudson Tunnel could put working people in the crosshairs and cost Republicans down the road.
President Donald Trump is facing backlash from his own blue-collar supporters over his administration's decision to withhold funding for the long-awaited Hudson River tunnel project, a move that could leave thousands of construction jobs at risk. The $16 billion project, one of the largest public works initiatives in the country, has been years in the making and was championed by Trump himself during his 2024 campaign.
However, just over a year into his second term, it appears that Trump's administration is now on course to sabotage the project unless Democrats in Congress agree to fully fund it. The move has left many union workers, including those who voted for Trump in previous elections, feeling betrayed and angry.
"I know that," said Ronald Sirois, an ironworker with 34 years of experience, who spoke out at a recent Gateway commission meeting. "This is not you, Mr. Trump, this is not what you are about." Sirois was joined by other union representatives who expressed their outrage and disappointment over the administration's actions.
Mike Hellstrom, a vice president of the Laborers' International Union of North America, compared the Hudson Tunnel project to iconic American infrastructure projects such as the Hoover Dam and the interstate highway system. "The Hudson Tunnel is our generation's next big thing," he said. "It is the very definition of American first."
However, labor leaders have historically backed Democrats, and many rank-and-file union members are growing increasingly Republican despite Trump's moves that put their jobs at risk. Norman Brown, a labor boss from New York State, warned that Trump's actions could undo the support for his own party.
"If he wants to make Biden look good, kill the Gateway project," Brown said. Robert Fawcett, a union member who worked on an earlier attempt to build new Hudson River tunnels, added, "I do not see how terminating this project is putting America first. It's definitely not putting my union brothers and sisters first."
The move has also been criticized by Democrats from New York and New Jersey, who signed a letter to Trump asking him to unlock the funding for the project. Republican officials, however, declined to sign the letter.
As Congress gears up for the midterm elections this year, labor leaders are warning that playing politics with crucial infrastructure projects like the Hudson Tunnel could put working people in the crosshairs and cost Republicans down the road.
. I mean, come on, dude! He's supposed to be a champion of American infrastructure, but now he's putting thousands of jobs at risk? That's just not cool, bro. I've got so much respect for the ironworkers and labor leaders who are fighting against this decision - Ronald Sirois and Mike Hellstrom are total heroes 
. The Hudson Tunnel is like, a big deal, you know? It's America's next big thing 
. Trump needs to get his act together and fund it ASAP, or he'll be the one who gets "tunnel"-ed 
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I'm trying not to be too cynical but come on trump you're supposed to be about building bridges (literally) not tearing them down 
those union workers who are speaking out are totally right, this is not what trump is about and it's gonna hurt a lot of people 
the thing is if he's really that invested in putting america first, why not go for it without the politics? i mean thousands of people are counting on this project and now they're gonna lose their livelihoods because trump wants to play hardball 
. Can't we just agree to fund important projects without all the drama? 
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thousands of blue-collar jobs on the line over a political move... like, can't we just have one project for once without drama? 
Trump's decision to threaten funding for the Hudson River tunnel project is super concerning. I mean, think about it - thousands of jobs are on the line here, and they're being held hostage by politics. It's not just blue-collar workers who are affected, but also the overall economy and public safety. The fact that union reps, even some who voted for Trump, are speaking out against this move shows that there's a growing divide between the administration's rhetoric and its actions.
these union reps are speaking truth to power and i'm here for it 
. But Trump's decision to withhold funding is just another example of how his admin is all about screwing over the working class 
. I mean, what's the plan here? Are they gonna say "oh sorry guys, we forgot about you"? It's not like it was a surprise that he wouldn't follow through on his campaign promises 
. And now labor leaders are worried that playing politics with infrastructure projects will hurt Republicans in the midterms? That's just smart politics, folks 
. And for what? So Trump can prove a point to his party and the media? Newsflash: it's not working 
. The fact that union reps are speaking out against him is music to my ears 
. These guys have been loyal to Trump and voted for him, but this decision has made them feel betrayed 
. Trump needs to get his priorities straight and start thinking about the people who actually matter - not just his base voters 
. The Gateway project is a vital part of America's infrastructure, and it deserves better than to be used as a political pawn 
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Trump's plan is like a bad joke – everyone's gonna be laughing all the way to the bank... except for the blue-collar folks who lose their jobs. 
That $16 billion project was supposed to create thousands of construction jobs, and now it's like he's throwing them under the bus. Literally! 
Trump's gotta love his own slogan "Make America Great Again"... more like "Make Blue-Collar Workers Feel Betrayed Again". 
... wait, no, that can't be right 
. I mean, what's going on with this guy? He's supposed to be all about America first, but now he's basically saying screw the American people and the workers who need those jobs 
. That would explain why Democrats are all like "no way, dude" 
. And honestly, it's not like the Hudson Tunnel project was going to be a huge priority for Trump in the first place 
. I think we should just let Congress figure this out and hope they make a smart decision 
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. The fact that these union leaders are starting to turn against Republicans because of this move is just another sign that Trump's policies aren't resonating with working folks 
. This whole thing has me shook