Hudson River Tunnel Funding Stalemate Exposes Divided Blue-Collar Base
President Donald Trump's administration is threatening to shut down construction on a massive $16 billion Hudson River tunnel project, one of the largest public works projects in the country. The move has sent shockwaves through New York and New Jersey, where thousands of union workers depend on the job for their livelihoods.
Ironically, many of these workers voted for Trump in his 2024 campaign, despite his claims that undocumented immigrants were taking jobs away from U.S. citizens. However, Trump's decision to withhold funding for the project has left them facing an uncertain future.
The Hudson Tunnel project is seen as a symbol of "America First" by labor leaders like Mike Hellstrom, vice president of the Laborers' International Union of North America. Hellstrom compared the project to iconic American achievements like the Hoover Dam and the interstate highway system.
However, not everyone shares Hellstrom's enthusiasm for the project. Ronald Sirois, an ironworker who voted for Trump in several elections, expressed frustration with the administration's decision, saying "This is not you, Mr. Trump... I know that." Sirois was joined by other union workers at a recent meeting, where officials broke the news that work on the project might soon come to a halt.
The divide within Trump's base over his handling of the Hudson River tunnel project has left labor leaders warning that it could have long-term consequences for the party. Norman Brown, a labor boss, said Trump's move could undo the support he won from union workers who were promised jobs and wages in exchange for their votes.
If the funding for the Hudson River tunnel project is not secured soon, thousands of workers will be left without a job. Santos Rodriguez, chief of staff of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, warned that Trump's decision would cost Republicans down the road, including this year's midterm elections.
The controversy highlights the complex dynamics within Trump's base, where working-class voters are increasingly turning away from his policies in favor of more traditional labor unions. As one Local 472 member, Robert Fawcett, put it, "If anything, it's saying they don't matter."
President Donald Trump's administration is threatening to shut down construction on a massive $16 billion Hudson River tunnel project, one of the largest public works projects in the country. The move has sent shockwaves through New York and New Jersey, where thousands of union workers depend on the job for their livelihoods.
Ironically, many of these workers voted for Trump in his 2024 campaign, despite his claims that undocumented immigrants were taking jobs away from U.S. citizens. However, Trump's decision to withhold funding for the project has left them facing an uncertain future.
The Hudson Tunnel project is seen as a symbol of "America First" by labor leaders like Mike Hellstrom, vice president of the Laborers' International Union of North America. Hellstrom compared the project to iconic American achievements like the Hoover Dam and the interstate highway system.
However, not everyone shares Hellstrom's enthusiasm for the project. Ronald Sirois, an ironworker who voted for Trump in several elections, expressed frustration with the administration's decision, saying "This is not you, Mr. Trump... I know that." Sirois was joined by other union workers at a recent meeting, where officials broke the news that work on the project might soon come to a halt.
The divide within Trump's base over his handling of the Hudson River tunnel project has left labor leaders warning that it could have long-term consequences for the party. Norman Brown, a labor boss, said Trump's move could undo the support he won from union workers who were promised jobs and wages in exchange for their votes.
If the funding for the Hudson River tunnel project is not secured soon, thousands of workers will be left without a job. Santos Rodriguez, chief of staff of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, warned that Trump's decision would cost Republicans down the road, including this year's midterm elections.
The controversy highlights the complex dynamics within Trump's base, where working-class voters are increasingly turning away from his policies in favor of more traditional labor unions. As one Local 472 member, Robert Fawcett, put it, "If anything, it's saying they don't matter."
the fact that these union workers who voted for trump now are being affected by his own policies is just heartbreaking... thousands of ppl losing their jobs over politics is just wrong 
and what's even more sad is that some of them even believed in the "america first" hype 
and were led to vote for trumps platform without realizing it would affect them so harshly.
. And now these union workers are facing an uncertain future? Not cool, dude 
. I get it, politics is tough, but can't we just work together for once? This whole "America First" thing is starting to sound like a bunch of BS 
.
. It's all just too unpredictable at this point.
That doesn't seem very "America First" to me. And it's weird how some union workers voted for him thinking he'd create jobs, only to have him shut down the tunnel project that was supposed to bring in even more work! 
I mean, can't they just get along? 
. I mean, who would've thought that workers like Ronald Sirois would be all bent outta shape 'cause Trump's administration isn't backing up its own rhetoric? It's like, what did they think was gonna happen when they voted for him? 
. Labor leaders are warning that if Trump keeps this up, it could cost Republicans big time in the midterm elections... but what about the workers who are already suffering? That's the real question here 
I'm totally buggin' about this Hudson River tunnel project thing! Like, what's goin' on? Thousands of blue-collar workers are gonna be outta a job and Trump's all like "America First" 
.
. And I gotta wonder, if Trump's base is so divided now, does that mean they're gonna come out and vote against him in the next election? That would be a major upset 
. I mean, have you seen the cost of that thing? $16 billion is just insane 
. Its like, we've got more important things to spend our money on than buildin' underpasses for rich people in NYC