President Donald Trump is engraving his legacy on Washington the same way he did in New York — putting his name on everything from savings accounts to Navy ships.
By etching his name into the firmament of Washington, Trump can assure himself and his supporters that, regardless of how many political wins he accrues, his final term will leave a lasting mark on the nation’s capital.
The focus on namings comes as Trump’s outlook for lasting achievements is fading. His legislative window on Capitol Hill has narrowed amid GOP infighting, his sweeping tariffs could be dismantled by the Supreme Court early next year, and it’s uncertain the GOP will control all of Capitol Hill beyond the midterm elections in November.
His recent effort follows the path Trump took in building his brand as a businessman before entering politics with Trump-named hotels, casinos, clothing lines, and luxury golf courses. His careful marketing gave him widespread name recognition when he first ran for president. Now he’s aiming to cement the Trump name for history.
Steven Hilding, a GOP strategist, said Trump putting his name on everything is risky because Democrats could easily undo such actions if they take the majority. But Hilding also said Trump is trying to build his legacy daily, and he sees attaching his name to prestigious buildings, for example, as a positive way to be remembered. While Trump has mused about running for a third term, it’s widely accepted he will leave office in early 2029.
“Presidents leave their mark in many different forms, and I think this will be remembered positively, just like nearly every other building named in honor of an elected official,” Hilding said.
On Monday, the president announced he is proposing a “Golden fleet” of US Navy ships armed with lasers and missiles in an ambitious plan that could take several years to build. The warships will also be named after the president as the “Trump class.”
“They’ll be the fastest, the biggest, and by far 100 times more powerful than any battleship ever built,” Trump said during his announcement at his Mar-a-Lago residence.
Trump’s announcement of self-branded Navy ships is only the latest example of his naming policy plans and buildings after himself.
Last week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the president was renaming the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington to include Trump’s name. The controversial move upset congressional Democrats, who pointed out that such action requires congressional approval, as the center was named via statute.
Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), who sits on the board of the Kennedy Center, sued the Trump administration for ignoring Congress in its decision.
Doug Heye, a GOP strategist, said the move shows Trump’s disregard for congressional authority, but said the president will likely continue naming proposals after himself next year.
“He doesn’t care about Congress,” Heye said. “Democrats would be much smarter, instead of talking about congressional approval and the processes, to push back that Trump seems more interested in self-aggrandizing than why voters feel the economy is leaving them behind.”
GOP Boosting
Republicans on the Hill, especially in the House, haven’t shied away from supporting Trump’s renaming and rebranding efforts on everything from buildings to currency and transit systems.
Freshman Rep. Addison McDowell (R-N.C.) introduced a bill earlier this year to rename Dulles airport to Donald J. Trump International Airport.
Several GOP members have also pushed to direct the Interior secretary to have Trump’s likeness carved into Mount Rushmore.
Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) has introduced two bills to rename the Washington metro rail system the “Trump Train” and include Trump’s name on the Exclusive Economic Zone.
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) has legislation to print Trump’s face on a new proposed $250 bill, while Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) has pitched replacing Benjamin Franklin on the $100 bill with Trump.
Prior to the Kennedy Center announcement, Rep. Bob Onder (R-Mo.) proposed a bill to rename the center the “Donald J. Trump Center for Performing Arts.” Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) also sought to attach an amendment to a spending bill that would rename the center after first lady Melania Trump.
But Democrats have taken action against Trump’s branding crusade too.
After Trump’s Kennedy Center rename, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said he would introduce a bill that will stop sitting presidents from naming federal buildings after themselves.
Brand Building
Trump has done for himself what Barack Obama’s critics foisted upon the then-president’s signature health care plan, attaching his name to the official Trump Rx proposal, which would provide low-cost prescription medication options.
He has also proposed a series of less conventional ideas, including Trump savings accounts for children and the Trump Gold Card that allows wealthy foreign nationals to purchase a US visa.
In addition to those moves, Trump is lobbying to put his name on the Washington Commanders stadium, which Leavitt called a “beautiful” idea.
The president is also eyeing a possible takeover of Washington’s public golf courses and renovations at Dulles International Airport, sparking more rumors of name changes.
While president, Trump has also renamed the Department of Defense the “Department of War” and signed an executive order changing the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.”
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