A major political firestorm has erupted over the Gordie Howe International Bridge, following allegations that a massive donation from a rival bridge owner directly influenced President Trump’s recent threats to shutter the project.
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The controversy centers on Matthew Moroun, the billionaire owner of the Ambassador Bridge. As the private owner of the primary competing route between Detroit and Windsor, Moroun has a massive financial stake in preventing the Gordie Howe Bridge from opening.
- Mid-January 2026: Records show Moroun funneled $1 million into MAGA Inc., a key pro-Trump super PAC.
- The Meeting: Weeks later, Moroun met with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
- The Ultimatum: Shortly after that meeting, Trump took to Truth Social, threatening to halt the bridge’s opening unless the U.S. is granted 50% ownership—a move that would essentially dismantle the current deal with Canada.
The Core Conflict: Private Profit vs. Public Infrastructure
The Gordie Howe Bridge is unique because it is being funded entirely by Canada (costing roughly $6.4 billion CAD). In exchange, Canada collects the tolls until the debt is paid. Trump’s “America First” pivot on the project mirrors the long-standing legal arguments used by the Moroun family to protect their monopoly on border traffic.
The Fallout
The situation has quickly escalated into a diplomatic and domestic crisis:
- Congressional Probe: House Democrats are investigating whether this constitutes a “quid pro quo,” requesting all communications between the Moroun family and the White House.
- Canadian Resistance: Canadian officials maintain that the 2012 Crossing Agreement is a binding international contract that cannot be unilaterally scrapped by the U.S. President.
- Economic Risk: Industry experts warn that blocking the bridge could cripple North American supply chains, as the crossing handles over 25% of all trade between the two nations.
