Trump calls Manhattan congestion pricing a ‘disaster,’ says he hates to see New York ‘destroyed’

WASHINGTON, DC: President Trump is back on the warpath over Manhattan’s congestion pricing, blasting the controversial toll plan as a “disaster” and demanding New York City scrap it “immediately.”

The program, which charges drivers up to $27 to enter Manhattan, drew fresh criticism on Monday, January 12, when Trump turned up the heat while speaking from Washington. 

The renewed broadside came as a federal court in New York prepares to hear arguments on whether Trump’s administration can permanently shut down the program, with oral arguments set for January 28, 2026, in Manhattan.

Trump has never hidden his dislike for congestion pricing, but he lashed out as he singled out Gov Kathy Hochul’s plan.  

Trump says it was a 'foolish policy' 

“Congestion Pricing in Manhattan is a DISASTER for New York. It’s got to be ended, IMMEDIATELY!” Trump wrote on a Truth Social post dated January 12, 2026.

“It’s never worked before, and it will never work now. I love New York, and hate to see it being destroyed so rapidly with such obviously foolish 'policy.' Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

His comments come as his administration continues efforts to derail the toll program, even threatening to withhold federal funding and approvals for major New York projects if the city refuses to scrap it. 

White House turns up the pressure

Leading the charge against congestion pricing is Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who has set multiple deadlines for New York to shut the system down. 

Duffy, in April last year, made his position clear in a letter to Hochul, warning that Washington will not help pay for a program he considers illegal.

“The federal government sends billions to New York — but we won’t foot the bill if Governor Hochul continues to implement an illegal toll to backfill the budget of New York’s failing transit system,” Duffy wrote.

He also argued that congestion pricing unfairly hits working-class commuters and small businesses, and warned that penalties would begin May 28, 2026, if the tolls are not halted.

Despite the threats, New York State and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority moved quickly to block the Trump administration from pulling the plug, filing a lawsuit to keep the program alive.

US District Judge Lewis Liman has scheduled oral arguments to begin on Wednesday, January 28, and ruled the tolls can stay in place while the case works its way through the court system.

How the toll works and what it costs

The nation’s first-ever congestion pricing program went live in early January, charging drivers $9 to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street. 

After a year (2025-2026) in operation, Hochul and MTA officials claim the program has reduced the number of vehicles clogging Manhattan streets.

But it has also driven what critics call “congestion-flation,” as businesses pass toll costs on to customers.

Delivery trucks, in particular, face steep fees, paying as much as $21.60 for each trip into the congestion zone below 60th Street.

Many drivers say traffic has not improved, but just gotten more expensive.

Republicans have asked Trump to kill congestion toll project

New York House Republicans have been urging Trump to kill the program, calling it “oppressive taxation” and a “cash grab” that worsens the MTA’s long-standing mismanagement.

Rep Mike Lawler had said at an anti-toll press conference in Nov 2024, “It’s bulls–t! We’re not doing it! Enforce your fares! OK.” 

Rep Nicole Malliotakis, at the time, had said she had raised the issue directly with Trump.

“He is opposed, he sees that it’s detrimental to our city’s economy, and that it will hurt hard-working New Yorkers,” she said.

Critics also argue that congestion pricing punishes commuters without fixing deeper problems like fare evasion, which costs the MTA more than $700 million every year.

During his 2024 campaign, Trump promised to get rid of congestion pricing in his first week.

"Congestion Pricing” is a disaster for NYC. I stopped it for years at the Federal level, but Crooked Joe railroaded it through," he said at the time.

"A massive business killer and tax on New Yorkers, and anyone going into Manhattan. I will TERMINATE Congestion Pricing in my FIRST WEEK back in Office!!! Manhattan is looking for business, not looking to kill business!"