President Trump's efforts to scuttle funding for a massive Hudson River tunnel project are sparking outrage among his own blue-collar supporters. Thousands of union workers, many of whom voted for Trump in previous elections, could lose their jobs if Congress fails to provide the necessary funds.
In fact, Trump's actions may be alienating some of his most loyal supporters. Ronald Sirois, a 34-year ironworker who backed the president in 2024, expressed shock and disappointment at the news that he and thousands of others might soon be out of work. "This is not you, Mr. Trump, this is not you, this is not what you are about," Sirois said, citing his own experience as a union worker.
Trump's decision to withhold funding for the $16 billion Gateway project has sparked fierce opposition from labor leaders and rank-and-file union members who have traditionally backed Democrats. While many trade unions have historically aligned with Democrats, there is growing evidence that union workers are becoming increasingly Republican - despite Trump's efforts to undermine their livelihoods.
Norman Brown, a labor boss who led the New York State Council of Machinists, warned that Trump's actions could have long-term consequences for his own party. "Union workers... view the immigrants as rivals to their jobs and his appeal to get rid of them," Brown said. "There will be some Trump supporters who peel off and schlep away, pretending that they don't know who they voted for."
The Gateway project is seen by many union leaders as a vital infrastructure project that could boost the economy and create thousands of jobs. Robert Fawcett, a Local 472 member, argued that Trump's decision would harm not just his own colleagues but also American workers in general. "I do not see how terminating this project is putting America first," he said. "It's definitely not putting my union brothers and sisters first."
The situation has sparked tensions between Republicans and Democrats in Congress, with no Republican lawmakers signing a letter urging Trump to release the funding for the project. Congressional Democrats from New York and New Jersey have signed a joint letter asking Trump to unlock the funds.
The controversy highlights the growing divide between Trump's base and his own party on issues like immigration and economic policy. As the midterm elections approach, labor leaders and union workers are warning that playing politics with critical infrastructure could have consequences for Republicans down the road.
In fact, Trump's actions may be alienating some of his most loyal supporters. Ronald Sirois, a 34-year ironworker who backed the president in 2024, expressed shock and disappointment at the news that he and thousands of others might soon be out of work. "This is not you, Mr. Trump, this is not you, this is not what you are about," Sirois said, citing his own experience as a union worker.
Trump's decision to withhold funding for the $16 billion Gateway project has sparked fierce opposition from labor leaders and rank-and-file union members who have traditionally backed Democrats. While many trade unions have historically aligned with Democrats, there is growing evidence that union workers are becoming increasingly Republican - despite Trump's efforts to undermine their livelihoods.
Norman Brown, a labor boss who led the New York State Council of Machinists, warned that Trump's actions could have long-term consequences for his own party. "Union workers... view the immigrants as rivals to their jobs and his appeal to get rid of them," Brown said. "There will be some Trump supporters who peel off and schlep away, pretending that they don't know who they voted for."
The Gateway project is seen by many union leaders as a vital infrastructure project that could boost the economy and create thousands of jobs. Robert Fawcett, a Local 472 member, argued that Trump's decision would harm not just his own colleagues but also American workers in general. "I do not see how terminating this project is putting America first," he said. "It's definitely not putting my union brothers and sisters first."
The situation has sparked tensions between Republicans and Democrats in Congress, with no Republican lawmakers signing a letter urging Trump to release the funding for the project. Congressional Democrats from New York and New Jersey have signed a joint letter asking Trump to unlock the funds.
The controversy highlights the growing divide between Trump's base and his own party on issues like immigration and economic policy. As the midterm elections approach, labor leaders and union workers are warning that playing politics with critical infrastructure could have consequences for Republicans down the road.
trump's gotta think about the blue collar workers who voted 4 him in the past... a lot of them r goin to lose their jobs if congress don't step in. it's like he's not even tryna help 'em out anymore. i feel bad for these guys, they're just tryna make ends meet and provide for their families. what's the point of bein a rep if u r just gonna leave ur constituents high & dry?
This is getting outta hand! Like, seriously, who thought it was a good idea to threaten 10s of thousands of jobs just to score some points with his base? 
Trump's got some 'splainin' to do. And what really gets me is that union workers are gettin' the shaft, too. They're not just talkin' about their own livelihoods, they're worried about how this'll affect the economy and everyday Americans 
. Meanwhile, the blue-collar supporters are like "What's up, Mr. Trump?!" 
- this isn't you, bro! The Gateway project is all about creating jobs & boosting the economy, but now it's just another casualty of your ego trip 
. We need to stand together, folks! Let's make our voices heard & demand that Congress gets its act together 
#UnionStrong #JobsNotWall #TrumpTantrums
. I mean, come on, $16 billion is a huge chunk of change, and he's just going to pull the plug on it? It's like he's trying to prove a point, but in reality, he's hurting real people 
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. I hope some of these union workers can find their voices and make their concerns heard 
. I can see why some of his supporters are mad at him - they're being told to choose between their loyalty to Trump and keeping their jobs 
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. And now Trump's just gonna throw that away? No thanks 
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. But at the end of the day, it's all about putting America first, right? So if we're not creating jobs and boosting our economy, then what's the point? 
Trump is just messing around with people's jobs and they're gonna be out of work because of it? I mean, I get that he doesn't like the Gateway project or whatever, but can't we just compromise on something? I'm all for jobs and stuff, but I don't think we should have to choose between our leader and our workers. What's going on with these politicians and their party lines? Are they all gonna be mad at each other over this? My cousin has a friend who works in construction and he said that Trump's actions are like, super hurtful to him and his family... I don't know if I agree or disagree, but it sounds really bad. Can someone explain this to me from scratch?
. Thousands of union workers could lose their jobs over this $16 billion Gateway project 
. I don't get why the GOP isn't speaking up for these workers... seems like they're getting played by Trump 
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. And let's not forget, there are plenty of other job opportunities out there that don't involve working on some expensive tunnel project 
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. It's like, what's next? Is he gonna start screwing over his own base too? 
And what's up with some of his supporters thinking this is somehow Trump being true to his roots? 
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Trump's gonna be in for a world of hurt if he keeps messing with his own people