Florida Congressman Greg Steube (R) introduced legislation that would rename Washington, D.C.’s Metrorail system in honor of President Donald Trump and his signature political slogan.
The proposed Make Autorail Great Again Act would require the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to rebrand itself as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA) — a nod to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” mantra — in order to continue receiving federal funding. Under the bill, the Metrorail would also be renamed 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.”
According to Steube’s office, the renaming effort is intended as more than symbolic. The release stated the rebranding would serve as a “mandate for performance and transformation,” aiming to boost efficiency, improve service, and restore public trust.
WMATA receives roughly $150 million annually in federal funding through various formula matching programs. Its 2024 financial report shows additional contributions of $154.5 million from Virginia, $167 million from Maryland, and $178.5 million from the District of Columbia.
The proposal is one of several recent Republican-led efforts to honor Trump through federal renaming initiatives. Rep. Addison McDowell (R-N.C.) has introduced legislation to rename Washington Dulles International Airport after the former president, while Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) has proposed creating a $250 bill featuring Trump’s portrait.
Steube highlighted D.C.’s upcoming role in hosting major events like the 2027 NFL Draft as part of the motivation for reforming the metro system’s identity.
