Matthew Maroun, the billionaire head of the family that owns the Ambassador Bridge, made a $1 million campaign donation to MAGA Inc. in January, according to campaign finance reports. In early February, former U.S. President Donald Trump pushed back on the opening of the Gordie Howe bridge, saying on Feb. 9 that he would block it. The $6.4 billion, Canadian-taxpayer funded Gordie Howe bridge is seen as a direct competitor to Maroun's Ambassador Bridge, which charges commercial trucks $15 to $20 per axle to cross each way.
Donation and timing
The donation was reported by campaign finance records and comes as the Gordie Howe bridge, initially set to open in early February, remains without an official opening date. A June news release on the bridge's website states: “Canada and the United States have agreed to delay the opening of the bridge, taking the necessary time to resolve any outstanding issues.” The Windsor Star reports that the Department of Homeland Security says three million commercial vehicles crossed the Ambassador Bridge in 2025, but that number is expected to drop to about 1.6 million after the Howe Bridge opens.
The Maroun family history
Matthew Maroun's father, Matty, took sole control of the Ambassador Bridge in 1979. Matty was born in Detroit in 1927, two years before the Ambassador Bridge opened. His grandfather fled Lebanon before the First World War, landing in South America and later in Windsor. The family moved to Detroit when the company building the Ambassador Bridge bought and demolished their Windsor home. Matty attended the University of Detroit Jesuit High School before studying chemistry and biology at Notre Dame University. After failing to get into medical school, he worked at his father Tufick's gas station in Detroit.
Rise of Central Cartage
The family's rise began around 1950 when Tufick took over Central Cartage, a failing truck company that owed him money. He built a relationship with Teamsters union president Jimmy Hoffa, giving him an edge over non-union competitors. By 1970, when Matty took over, Central Cartage had grown to 900 employees and served General Motors as its main transporter. He expanded into Canada under the name McKinlay Transport. Matty, the son of a poor immigrant family who once cleaned ashtrays in his father's gas station, became a billionaire.
Impact of the bridge delay
The delay in opening the Gordie Howe bridge has raised questions about political influence. Sources cited by The Windsor Star indicate that Trump's decision to block the bridge may be linked to Maroun's donation. The Ambassador Bridge remains the busiest international commercial crossing in North America, but the new bridge threatens its monopoly. The exact opening date for the Gordie Howe bridge remains uncertain, with officials citing unresolved issues between Canada and the United States.
