President Trump's administration is on track to cancel construction of a massive $16 billion Hudson River tunnel project, putting thousands of blue-collar jobs at risk. This move has sparked outrage among labor unions and working-class voters who supported Trump's re-election bid.
In recent months, Trump's administration has been withholding funding for the Gateway project, citing concerns over migrants taking American jobs. However, union leaders are now accusing the President of using his veto power to punish voters who supported him. Many union members, including those in the Laborers' International Union of North America, cast ballots for Trump, believing he would deport undocumented immigrants and bolster wages for middle-class workers.
"This is not you, Mr. Trump, this is not you, this is not what you are about," said Ronald Sirois, an ironworker who voted for Trump in the 2024 election. "I know that." The Hudson Tunnel project employs thousands of union workers across New York and New Jersey.
Labor leaders are now growing increasingly concerned over Trump's actions, which they say could alienate some Republican voters. Norman Brown, a labor boss from New York State, warned that Trump's move may undo the support he won among blue-collar workers who believed his promise to deport immigrants taking American jobs. "Union workers... view the immigrants as rivals to their jobs," 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 decision to cancel the project could have serious consequences in this year's midterm elections. Santos Rodriguez, chief of staff of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, warned that playing politics with crucial infrastructure projects would put working people in the crossfire.
In recent months, Trump's administration has been withholding funding for the Gateway project, citing concerns over migrants taking American jobs. However, union leaders are now accusing the President of using his veto power to punish voters who supported him. Many union members, including those in the Laborers' International Union of North America, cast ballots for Trump, believing he would deport undocumented immigrants and bolster wages for middle-class workers.
"This is not you, Mr. Trump, this is not you, this is not what you are about," said Ronald Sirois, an ironworker who voted for Trump in the 2024 election. "I know that." The Hudson Tunnel project employs thousands of union workers across New York and New Jersey.
Labor leaders are now growing increasingly concerned over Trump's actions, which they say could alienate some Republican voters. Norman Brown, a labor boss from New York State, warned that Trump's move may undo the support he won among blue-collar workers who believed his promise to deport immigrants taking American jobs. "Union workers... view the immigrants as rivals to their jobs," 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 decision to cancel the project could have serious consequences in this year's midterm elections. Santos Rodriguez, chief of staff of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, warned that playing politics with crucial infrastructure projects would put working people in the crossfire.
Trump is supposed to be helping out blue collars but instead he's just screwing them over 
thousands of jobs are gonna get lost and now labor unions are like what did we vote for again? 
it's like he's playing with fire by messing with workers who trusted him 
i know some ppl supported trump b/c he said he would deport immigrants but honestly it feels like he's just using them for his own gain now like union workers feel betrayed 
I'm all about Trump wanting to make America great again but this is just not how you do it 
. It's like Trump's administration is playing games with people's lives and livelihoods. Thousands of blue-collar workers are going to lose their jobs, and it's not just about the money – it's about the sense of security and stability they're going to be affected by.
. This move feels like a major backpedal on his re-election promises. I get that labor unions were vocal about immigration, but still, this is America – we're supposed to be welcoming people from all over 
. What's the real reason behind canceling the project? Is it just about punishing voters or is there something more going on? It needs to be investigated ASAP 
i mean wut kinda leader cancels a 16 billion dollar project to spite blue collar workers who voted for him?? this isnt leadership this is pure betrayal 
gotta speak out & hold trump accountable 
we cant let him get away with dis
I'm low-key shocked by Trump's decision to axe the Hudson River tunnel project! Thousands of blue-collar workers are gonna lose their jobs 
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! It's not cool for Trump to use his veto power to punish voters who supported him. Labor laws are in place to protect workers' rights, not to punish them for exercising their civic duty 
. We'll see how this all plays out... one thing's for sure, it's gonna be a wild ride 
!
it's like he thinks he can just screw over thousands of workers and their families for his own politics... i mean, didnt he promise to create jobs and boost wages? now he's just using vetoes to punish voters who supported him? that's some messed up stuff... and now labor unions r worried about losing the support of republican voters too 
it's all just so cringeworthy... like, cant we just build a tunnel already? 
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I mean, I get it, some people were voting for Trump and stuff, but come on! These blue-collar workers are just trying to make a living and provide for their families. Can't we just focus on helping them out instead of playing politics?! 
Not cool, dude.
. We need politicians who actually care about the people they're supposed to represent, you know? 
the gateway project was gonna bring jobs and economic growth but now it's all being taken away 