As former President Donald Trump navigates his second term, an intriguing legislative movement is gaining momentum within the Republican Party, aiming to immortalize his legacy through an array of ambitious proposals ranging from monetary re-imagination to grand national monuments. These efforts, though seemingly premature, underscore a deep-seated desire among certain lawmakers to cement Trump’s place in American history, reflecting the evolving landscape of contemporary U.S. politics.
Among the most significant proposals is the push to rename key national landmarks. Just 72 hours into his second term, House Republicans introduced a bill to rename Virginia’s Dulles International Airport after the former president. The sponsor, North Carolina’s Rep. Addison McDowell, articulated this move as a fitting tribute to what he considers the “best president” of his lifetime, signifying a profound respect and a desire for a lasting emblem of Trump’s influence.
Further emphasizing this ambition, Rep. Brandon Gill of Texas has sponsored legislation to feature Donald Trump’s portrait on the U.S. $100 bill, replacing Benjamin Franklin. This proposal mandates that no $100 bill printed after December 31, 2028, could be issued without Trump’s image, despite a federal law enacted post-Civil War prohibiting living figures on U.S. currency to prevent monarchical appearances, highlighting the political audacity of such initiatives.
The scope of proposed tributes extends beyond major landmarks and currency. Florida’s Rep. Greg Steube has put forth a bill to rename Washington’s subway system the “Trump Train,” symbolizing a metaphorical journey under his leadership. Additionally, Rep. Claudia Tenney of New York champions a bill to establish June 14, Trump’s birthday, as a new federal holiday, “Trump’s Birthday and Flag Day,” intertwining personal celebration with national observance.
Perhaps the most audacious and visually symbolic proposal comes from Florida’s Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, who seeks to have Trump’s likeness carved into Mount Rushmore, alongside iconic figures like Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, and Teddy Roosevelt. Luna asserts that despite facing intense scrutiny, including a “sham impeachment,” Trump has demonstrated unparalleled resilience and achieved what no other president has, validating his place among these revered national monuments.
The reverence for Trump is not limited to overt legislative actions; it also manifests in subtle, yet significant, changes within policy. For instance, in recent Republican tax cut and immigration legislation, leadership altered the name of a new account for children from “MAGA accounts” to reflect Trump’s influence. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Jason Smith explained this change by citing Trump as a “transformational leader” who advocated for these specific initiatives.
Even the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize has become a focal point of these honoring efforts. Despite Trump’s own past jests about not deserving it and his struggles with international conflicts, several prominent Republican senators, including Ohio’s Bernie Moreno and Tennessee’s Marsha Blackburn, have called for his nomination, with Blackburn actively seeking public support via social media, underscoring persistent political tributes.
Another significant gesture involves cultural institutions, with an amendment introduced by Idaho’s Rep. Mike Simpson in an appropriations bill proposing to name the Opera House at the Kennedy Center after Trump. Simpson differentiated this effort from other naming initiatives by noting that the theater is not currently named after anyone, suggesting a distinct approach to honoring the former president’s legacy through cultural recognition.
These widespread Republican efforts to venerate Donald Trump serve multiple strategic purposes. They not only send a clear signal to Trump’s devoted voter base, encouraging trust and turnout in future elections, but also provide Democrats with an opportunity to characterize the Republican majority as excessively focused on placating a single figure rather than addressing broader American needs, further polarizing the political landscape.
