Trump Critiques New York City’s Congestion Pricing

Former President Donald Trump has urged New York City to abandon its congestion pricing model, describing it as a “disaster.” In a post on Truth Social, he stated, “Manhattan congestion pricing is a disaster for New York. It has to end now! It has never worked before, and it will never work. I love New York and I hate to see it quickly destroyed by clearly stupid ‘policies’ like this.” His strong feelings about the issue are evident.

New York City implemented congestion pricing in January 2025 but has faced criticism, including from Trump, who has a history of opposing such programs. Under this plan, drivers entering Manhattan south of 60th Street during peak hours face a $9 toll. The city aimed to ease congestion and fund improvements in public transit.

Shortly after the program’s launch, traffic in the targeted areas reportedly decreased by 8% to 13%. However, Trump’s dissatisfaction remains clear, as he has previously attempted to halt the program and even threatened to withhold federal funding if the city continued its implementation.

On January 5, the program will celebrate its first anniversary. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has defended it, suggesting that it has led to a calmer city atmosphere. “The opposition parties have calmed down a bit, haven’t they?” she remarked at a press conference, noting that people seem to appreciate not being stuck in traffic.

In this ongoing debate, it’s interesting to see how opinions shift—some folks find the new toll system effective, while others, like Trump, remain resolute in their opposition. As the city adjusts to the changes, the conversation is likely to continue evolving.