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By Daniel Orton
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Efforts to add President Donald Trump's face and name to major U.S. institutions, cultural landmarks, and even currency have become a defining feature of his second term in 2025.
On Thursday the White House announced that the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts would be renamed the Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, or the Trump Kennedy Center. The move, voted for unanimously by a board whose members were all appointed by Trump, has sparked outrage from members of the Kennedy family and others.
But it is not the first site or object the president and his allies have worked to get the Trump name or likeness added to, leading to intense debate over the boundaries of presidential legacy, the politicization of public spaces. Newsweek has compiled a list of all the things either already named after Trump or which are seeing efforts to add him to in some form.
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Buildings and Landmarks
U.S. Institute of Peace
In early December, the Trump administration officially affixed Trump’s name to the U.S. Institute of Peace, now called the Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace. The move follows a contentious legal and political battle over control of the congressionally created, independent institute, which traditionally operated outside the executive branch. Despite ongoing litigation (with former staff and leadership contesting the federal takeover and board dismissals), the State Department announced the renaming was to "reflect the greatest dealmaker in our nation’s history." A peace signing ceremony featuring presidencies of Congo and Rwanda took place under the new name on December 4.
"President Trump will be remembered by history as the President of Peace," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a post on X. "It's time our State Department display that."
California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom mocked the new name, posting a Photoshopped image of an imaginary "KFC Institute for Veganism."
Kennedy Center
The Board of Trustees of the Kennedy Center voted in December to rename it the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to the White House and, Roma Daravi, the institution’s vice president for public relations. Trump, recently appointed chairman of the board, installed allies and administration officials to key positions. The move has drawn opposition from Democratic trustees and the Kennedy family, citing that such a change requires congressional approval. The Kennedy Center website updated its logo accordingly, while debate over the legality and legitimacy of the renaming persists.
"It was always meant to be a BIPARTISAN institution," Daravi wrote on X. "Now it truly is."
"It is beyond comprehension that this sitting president has sought to rename this great memorial dedicated to President Kennedy," Maria Shriver, who is a niece of Kennedy, wrote on X. "It is beyond wild that he would think adding his name in front of President Kennedy’s name is acceptable. It is not."
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Government Programs
Trump Gold Card
The Department of Homeland Security introduced the "Trump Gold Card" in early 2025, offering wealthy applicants a fast-track to U.S. residency and citizenship in exchange for a $1 million "gift" to the Treasury. A corporate variant requires a $2 million contribution, while a planned Platinum tier promises extended stays for $5 million. Supporters hailed the program as a revenue generator and a magnet for global talent, while immigration advocates condemned it as "citizenship for sale."
Trump Accounts
The Trump Accounts program was officially unveiled on December 17, when Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent launched the new website and announced details of the initiative at a press briefing. The program was created under Trump’s "One Big Beautiful Bill" tax and spending law earlier in 2025 and aims to provide tax-advantaged investment accounts for children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028.
National Park Passes
The Interior Department unveiled a new design for America’s national park passes in December, replacing traditional scenic imagery with a portrait of President Donald Trump. The passes, which provide access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites, were introduced as part of a broader rebranding effort by the administration.
"It is the department’s honor to showcase the America the Beautiful pass honoring America’s 250th anniversary and the generations who have protected our lands," Interior Secretary Doug Bergum said in a video posted to the department's website announcing the changes.
Within days, conservation groups filed a lawsuit in federal court, calling the move "the most ego-driven action yet" and arguing it politicizes public lands and violates federal neutrality rules. The suit seeks to block the rollout before the 2026 season.
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Proposed and Pending Renamings and Additions
Washington Dulles International Airport
Legislation was introduced to rename it to Donald J. Trump International Airport, but the proposal has not advanced in Congress. Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have announced renovation plans for the airport.
Washington, D.C., Metro
A bill to rename the region’s Metrorail system as the "Trump Train" was introduced in the House but has stalled in committee.
Currency
The "Golden Age Act of 2025" sought to put Trump’s image on the $100 bill; it remains in committee. There are also proposals for a $250 note and a commemorative coin.
Mount Rushmore
A bill to add Trump’s likeness to Mount Rushmore was introduced but has not advanced.
What Happens Next
Several of the actions taken to add Trump’s face or name to public institutions and assets face significant legal and political challenges. The renaming of the Institute of Peace remains under federal court review, with a final decision on the organization’s status and control pending. The Kennedy Center renaming is likely to provoke congressional scrutiny and possible legislative action, as federal law governs its name. Many other proposals—including those involving currency, national landmarks, and transportation infrastructure—are tied up in committees or require congressional approval, making their final outcome uncertain.
Correction, 05/27/26, 4:46 a.m. ET: A previous version of this article incorrectly referred to Donald Trump as “former president.” He was president at the time in question. The article has been updated.
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