The federal government is looking to “revitalize Dulles” airport but so far there’s just a ‘request for information’ that closed January 20, with two submissions that actually included new terminal renderings. The Department of Transportation is calling to reimagine Dulles “at the speed of Trump” and “Make Dulles Great Again.”
This includes a concept for a new “Donald J. Trump Terminal” in front of the existing Eero Saarinen main terminal. The new curvy terminal would replace the surface parking lot and reduce the walk from the Silver Line Metro station to the entrance.
This repurposes the existing Saarinen terminal heavily toward luxury retail, with travelers then moving through a new Y‑shaped pier, and expanded automated trains replacing the current people mover system. Those mobile lounges were a central theme of submissions, with one replacing them with “Direct Jet Transport” (DJT for ‘Donald J. Trump’ get it?). One proposal is for autonomous pods in underground roadways.
DOT framed Dulles as having “fallen into a state of disrepair” singling out:
- the people‑mover/mobile lounge system (including long rides)
- jet fuel smell in concourses,
- a limited number of gates at the main terminal.
The federal government owns Washington Dulles, but it’s leased to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority for 74 more years. The agency didn’t even know a plan for “Making Federal Architecture Beautiful Again” was going to be announced for the airport. DOT said it would share submissions with the airports authority for consideration, but this is only happening if funding is on the table.
The local airport agency says it “appreciates” the interest, is already investing billions with its capital construction program and updated master plan, and expects the process could help enhance and accelerate existing modernization.
Some of these projects, as described, tout price tags of as much as $55 billion before cost overruns. That would keep the existing Saarinen terminal as an aviation museum and VIP concourse as well as ceremonial events space, while shifting operations to an adjacent new terminal complex.
But maybe the one with the best shot – because it’s called the Terminal Redevelopment & Upgrade Management Platform Airports (“TRUMP Airports”) would:
- create a Head of State Terminal
- replace mobile lounges with “a fully connected train system”
- add a microgrid feeding excess electricity back to the local grid.
Proposals to name a “Trump Terminal” are less ambitious than naming the airport itself. One project merely suggested naming a concourse. In contrast, H.R. 691 was introduced a year ago “To designate Washington Dulles International Airport as Donald J. Trump International Airport.” It was referred to House Transportation & Infrastructure and then referred to the Aviation Subcommittee on February 1, 2025, but no further action was taken.
In Florida, though, things are moving forward with SB 706 which would rename Palmb Beach International as “Donald J. Trump International Airport.” The bill was introduced on January 13, 2026, and is on the Transportation Committee agenda for this coming Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
(HT: Paul H.)
Not enough gold in the design.
If it’s ever built and it is given that name, everyone knows it won’t stay there.
Naming anything after trump by now will automatically apply a negative reputation to whatever object it is. In the case of airports, it might actually cause them to lose money over time.
@Patrick – Very true. Democrats are very jealous and vindictive. Glad to see some people have a sense of humor.
It will be so gratifying to see America default on its debt, lose its once vaunted credit rating, and look and feel like the Soviet Union 1991. Sell America. Sell it hard.
WTF? We dont need any of that nonsense. Do it the right way and F the Trump nonsense like the new ballroom at the White House.
@Michael,
True, one must grovel to the Supreme leader. The Master Plan must be followed.
@Micheal renaming history in Washington is commonplave these days. It can be bipartisan. https://theweek.com/politics/list-everything-trump-named-himself
If Trump wants an airport name, a better target might be DFW.
DTW might be a possibility with the excuse that the DT part stands for Donald Trump.
Actually, there should be a law that takes away federal funding for any airport named after a President if the name isn’t already in use.
@rd Trump is a crazy madman but the Ballroom is one of the few good ideas he’s had and no future Democratic president will be complaining. Nothing “premium” (lol, couldn’t resist) going to a WH function and using porta potties on the lawn.
@lavanderialarry – If you are American, please move. Your attitude is detrimental or do something positive for the country. If you are not American – KTFO of America, you are not welcome.
@rd – What is wrong with a new ballroom that is funded by Americans that earned money? Oh you are just a drone without a functioning brain. Maybe Congress could fund one if the ungrateful allowed into this country weren’t stealing us blind, Oh, in the name of compassion.
@Jon F – get a sense of humor, going thru life sucking on lemons is depressing.
@GullAirACK – Bipartisan, not right now. The Democrats oppose everything. Who would of thought they would be pro-illegal invasion, pro-crime just to name 2.
@Michael Mainello and who would have thought the GOP was pro-treason, pro-gunning down American citizens, pro-war, pro-screw our allies, oh, and pro-racism (that last one really doesn’t surprise me).
Get out of your Fox News, OAN, Newsmax echo chamber. The majority of Americans absolute hate what Trump and the GOP are doing to our country. The Dems are by no means perfect but at least they have at least an ounce of humanity.
@Michael Mainello
If you still like HIM, you are the one who is not an American. Get off Faux news and read the constitution.
@mainello. Let’s be clear on a few of the ballroom facts. It will be the American taxpayers that are stuck with the bill to wine & dine Trump’s guests. It will be the American taxpayers that will be stuck with the year round utilities and bills to maintain a vanity space for a vindictive old man that cannot handle the truth. It will be the American taxpayers that will foot now projected billion dollar retrofit on a Qatari jet the thief will take home. And by the way, he doesn’t have the donations to build a ballroom nobody wanted . Save your propaganda.
Can we just get C/D replaced to be like A/B and then argue over the name?
@Denver Refugee
Yeah definitely needs more gold.
@WileyDog – Besides the questionable felonies which are still being adjudicated in the courts (no injured party, underlying crime was a misdemeanor at worst), please list his un-Constitutional offenses. Oh and January 6 was not an insurrection, so save your fingers.
@ Michael Mainello — You are a moron.
@Gene – You are a typical rabid liberal sycophant incapable of independent, nuanced thought. Your response is standard from a double digit IQ’d person (?).
@Michael
I prefer to believe my lying eyes. Jan 6th was indeed an insurrection. But keep groveling to the Supreme Leader
Blow it up and start again
AWFUL airport tied with NEW ARK
I avoid them both
@Jon F – How much of the entire J6 footage have you watched? Did you see where Pelosi stated it was her fault because she didn’t take the additional soldiers for protection? Did you see where President Trump directed the crowd to peaceable go over to the Capitol? Where were the weapons collected by law enforcement when these “insurrectionists” were arrested? Hint – insurrections are not undertaken in broad daylight without weapons. I would be surprised if you provide an intelligent response.
@Jon F – (A sanitized version of my response due to moderation) How much of the entire January 6 footage have you watched? Did you see where The Speaker of the House stated it was her fault because she didn’t take the additional soldiers for protection? Did you see where our supreme leader directed the crowd to peaceable go over to the Capitol? Where were the weapons collected by law enforcement when these “insurrectionists” were arrested? Hint – insurrections are not undertaken in broad daylight without weapons. I would be surprised if you provide an intelligent response. (Hope this is makes it thru)
@ Michael Mainello — Gavin’s website can fit you for a pair of knee pads.
@Gene – You didn’t disappoint. Do you get a list of responses you can choose from or do they just give you 1 because you can’t even make a decision? BTW are you on a subscription service with Sparkleberry Gavin?
Does anyone actually fly and travel on here? Hard to tell. Seems to be a preponderance of “political psychopath” posters where every single issue must be framed through a partisan lens.
@DFWSteve — Fair point. I’m at IAD on average 2-3 times a month now in recent years, overall been traveling to and from it for 25+ years. I honestly think the airport is just fine the way it is. Maybe it’s Stockholm Syndrome though. After all I did start take a liking to the PenFed song (if you know, you know).
It’s wrong, I know, but the combination of Trump and terminal brings me pleasure.
@This Come To Mind – Are you an illegal alien? Profiting from the Somali or other fraud? Or are you just a d’bag? I do believe the last (installed autopen) president will precede him.
@Michael
I realize that Trumpbots like you are willing to ignore reality, but newsflash for you — Pelosi doesn’t command the national guard. And insurrections do take place in broad daylight. But someone like you has outsourced thinking to your Supreme Leader will ignore that.
@Michael
It may surprise you but some of us don’t worship other presidents the way you worship your Orange God. As for frauds, I would suggest looking in the mirror.
@Michael
It may surprise you, but Pelosi does not command the National Guard. And yes, insurrections can take place in broad daylight oo. I prefer to believe my eyes than the string of untruths that come from Trump worshippers.
@Jon
Are you and @Gene the same bot? Certainly similar IQs, unable to provide a reasoned or factual argument. BTW, for your programmer, Orange God is NOT capitalized, bad grammar. It would be orange god.
If it’s dozing Donnie’s terminal, you know the price is going to quadruple!
Moving the airport closer to the Metro and ending the mobile lounges are the most important parts of this. I don’t really care who they name it after, Republican or Democrat. Just fix the airport.
@Michael
Its understandable that Trump bots don’t realize that many people don’t worship their oRANGE mESSIAH.
I did actually post pointing that you were comments about J6 were as factually challenged as your Messiahs, but it was rejected by the moderator bot twice. But yes, it was 100% an attempt to overthrow a lawful election. And no, Pelosi doesn’t command the National Guard.
But doubtless you believe the election was stolen by voting machines being reprogrammed through satellite connections by krakens based in South America.
@Michael
ts understandable that Trump bots don’t realize that many people don’t worship their oRANGE gOD. I did actually post pointing that you were comments about J6 were as factually challenged as your Messiahs, but it was rejected by the moderator bot twice. But yes, it was 100% an attempt to overthrow a lawful election. And no, Pelosi doesn’t command the National Guard.
Naming anything after him …. Well it’s not going to age well …. That is, If we every get out of this
I’m with @Denver Refugee, @IsaacM. Not enough gold.
@L737 — That tunnel! Man, they blast that tune in there. Makes me want to join their credit union so bad…
@Dwondermeant — The new EWR Terminal A is glorious these days; Amex Centurion scheduled to open there later this year. Yes, B is still old AF. C has updated UnitedClubs and Polaris (could be worse).
@Michael Mainello — The partisan bickering on this is kinda silly. I’m with @Barry Graham that the upgrades are more important than any name.
@1990 – I 100% agree with you, so why do the Dems always do it? Dems only policy is “Oppose Trump”. Good thing he doesn’t outlaw jumping off a cliff or the majority of them would show the orange man he can’t order them around.
Slightly toned down to get past the sensors.
@1990 – I 100% agree with you, so why do the Dems always do it? Dems only policy is “Oppose the duly elected POTUS”. Good thing he doesn’t outlaw jumping off a cliff or the majority of them would show the orange man he can’t order them around.
How about Murderering narcissistic terminal?
@ Michael Moroniello — I’ve given up on reasoned arguments with people like yourself who simply refuse to accept basic realities, like that Jan 6 was an insurrection, that Trump is a treasonist, that the federal government under Trump is turning our military on our own citizens, that Trump is openly selling pardons. You will undoubtedly reply with, “oh but XYZ Democratic did blah, blah, blah”. THERE IS SIMPLY NO HISTORICAL COMPARISON, so stop being a total sucker and believing the bullshit being fed to you by FoxNews, OAN, and the fascist administration.
Only if we Plaster Epstein photos all over the trains in the DJT terminal.
@ WestCoastFlyer – you guys keep trying to connect the two, but it keeps coming up pols from your party. But keep trying. Since most of you are bots or uneducated you keep swapping spit and regurgitating the talking points.
I’m for honoring John Foster Dullest
I remember when they told us that it was bad that Saddam Hussein put his name on everything and his picture up on buildings in the capital. And yet…..
@ WestCoastFlyer – No surprise, a typical name calling, infantile response. Are you auditioning for a spot on Governor Spakelberry’s twitter team?
@Michael Mainello — Even with the winter storm today, IAD is doing ‘alright’ so far. Not as many cancellations as elsewhere. Huh, guess DC got lucky so far.
@1990 – Thanks, it appears some areas were spared and others are getting sleet and ice instead of snow, which is dangerous driving. In Southern NM we are getting the cold, snow and ice.
@ TProphet — Does the story have the same ending?
Trump is probably one of the best presidents we have ever had. Ice is doing good work cleaning up after the biden migrant crisis and those two white lefties that they shot deserved it.
Jan 6 was America’s Bastille day.
Where are the slot machines in the artist’s rendering? And the gold toilets? Sloppy…
@Walter Barry – He is only the best if you are open minded and willing to do research. If you are one of the many bots and sheeple commenting, then he is (add the h8ful answer that was supplied to you by your handlers).
Walter Barry, I agree with your assessment.
I’m disappointed @ 1990 didn’t get my joke. It was big amoung Stevenson people.
His name will be stripped off everything in 2029.
@Michael Mainello
“He is only the best if you are open minded and willing to do research.”
Ironically, actually doing research shows the exact opposite of what you said. Can’t claim to be “open minded” if you get your info from only 3 sites.