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.
@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.
@Michael,
True, one must grovel to the Supreme leader. The Master Plan must be followed.