Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) introduced a bill Thursday to rename the Washington, D.C., subway system after President Trump and his MAGA slogan.
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, known as WMATA, until it rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access, or WMAGA — a similar acronym to the Make America Great Again slogan — and renames the Metrorail the Trump Train.
“WMATA has received billions in federal assistance over the years and continues to face operational, safety, and fiscal challenges,” Steube said in a statement. “In the spirit of DOGE, this bill demands accountability by conditioning federal funding on reforms that signal a cultural shift away from bureaucratic stagnation toward public-facing excellence and patriotism.”
Steube’s bill is just one of many that Republicans have introduced making a direct appeal to Trump’s name or brand. Rep. Addison McDowell (R-N.C.) has introduced a bill to rename Washington Dulles International Airport after Trump, and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) introduced a bill to print $250 bills featuring a portrait of Trump.
A release from Steube’s office said the rebrand “represents more than a name change; it is a mandate for performance and transformation.”
“Like any struggling institution, WMATA needs a fresh identity that aligns with efficiency, service quality, and renewed public trust. These new names serve as a bold rallying point for much-needed reform,” Steube said, adding that the District is preparing to host major events like the 2027 NFL Draft.
Steube’s release said WMATA receives about $150 million in annual federal funding through federal formula matching programs. WMATA’s 2024 annual report said it received $154.5 million from Virginia, $167 million from Maryland, and $178.5 million from the District of Columbia.
WMATA this week announced the launch of a major update to its fare payment system, enabling riders to tap in and out of stations and pay with just a contactless credit or debit card rather than requiring a Metro card.
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