The Voice News: Washington, D.C. — A Republican congressman has introduced a bill that would strip federal funding from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) unless the system is renamed the “Trump Train.”
Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) unveiled the proposal, titled the Make Autorail Great Again Act, earlier this week. The legislation would condition more than $150 million in annual federal grants on the rebranding of WMATA to the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA) — a clear reference to former President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan.
Under the bill, Washington’s Metrorail system would also be required to be officially referred to as the “Trump Train.”
Symbolic Loyalty to Trump
While the measure is unlikely to pass, it is the latest in a series of symbolic legislative efforts by House Republicans aimed at demonstrating allegiance to the former president.
Other recent proposals include:
Renaming Dulles International Airport after Trump;
Featuring Trump’s portrait on the $100 bill;
Creating “Trump Accounts”, originally introduced as “MAGA Accounts,” to provide $1,000 savings accounts for newborns;
Proposing a constitutional amendment to allow Trump to run for a third presidential term.
Statement from Steube
In a statement, Rep. Steube said the bill “demands accountability by conditioning federal funding on reforms that signal a cultural shift away from bureaucratic stagnation toward public-facing excellence and patriotism.”
He argued that the D.C. Metro needs “a fresh identity” that reflects improved service and renewed public confidence, especially as the city prepares to host major international events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2027 NFL Draft.
Metro’s Progress
Despite experiencing significant setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic, WMATA has seen substantial improvements under CEO Randy Clarke since 2022. According to multiple assessments, the D.C. Metro now ranks among the top transit systems in the United States in terms of efficiency, cleanliness, and safety.
The proposed legislation has sparked debate over the use of federal funds as leverage for partisan branding, with critics questioning the appropriateness of politicizing public infrastructure.
