Efforts to attach President Donald Trump’s name and likeness to major U.S. institutions, cultural landmarks, and even currency have become a recurring flashpoint during his second term in 2025—raising questions about presidential legacy and the politicization of public spaces.
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, informally described as the Trump Kennedy Center. The decision was approved unanimously by a board whose members were all appointed by Trump, prompting sharp criticism from members of the Kennedy family and others.
The Kennedy Center move is only the latest in a growing list of renamings, rebrandings, and proposals backed by the president and his allies. Below is a roundup of initiatives that have already taken effect, along with pending proposals that remain under consideration.
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 change followed a contentious legal and political dispute over control of the congressionally created, independent institute, which historically operated outside the executive branch.
Despite ongoing litigation—challenging the federal takeover as well as board dismissals—the State Department said the renaming was meant to “reflect the greatest dealmaker in our nation’s history.” A peace signing ceremony involving the presidents 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 by 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, placed allies and administration officials in key roles.
The move has drawn opposition from Democratic trustees and members of the Kennedy family, who argue such a change requires congressional approval. The Kennedy Center’s website updated its logo, while disputes over the legality and legitimacy of the renaming continue.
“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—Kennedy’s niece—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.”
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 version requires a $2 million contribution, and a planned Platinum tier would allow extended stays for $5 million.
Supporters framed the program as a revenue generator and a way to attract global talent, while immigration advocates criticized it as “citizenship for sale.”
Trump Accounts
The Trump Accounts program was unveiled on December 17, when Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent launched a new website and outlined the initiative at a press briefing.
Created under Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” tax and spending law earlier in 2025, the program aims to provide tax-advantaged investment accounts for children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028.
National Park Passes
In December, the Interior Department introduced a new design for America’s national park passes, replacing traditional scenic imagery with a portrait of former President Donald Trump. The passes provide access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites and were described as part of a broader rebranding effort.
“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.
Within days, conservation groups filed a federal lawsuit seeking to stop the rollout before the 2026 season, calling the change “the most ego-driven action yet” and arguing it politicizes public lands and violates federal neutrality rules.
Proposed and Pending Renamings and Additions
Washington Dulles International Airport
Legislation was introduced to rename the airport Donald J. Trump International Airport, though the proposal has not advanced in Congress. Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have announced renovation plans for the facility.
Washington, D.C., Metro
A bill to rename the region’s Metrorail system the “Trump Train” was introduced in the House but has stalled in committee.
Currency
The “Golden Age Act of 2025” proposed placing Trump’s image on the $100 bill and remains in committee. Other ideas include creating a $250 note and issuing 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 initiatives—especially those involving the Institute of Peace and the Kennedy Center—face major legal and political hurdles. The Institute of Peace renaming remains under federal court review, with a final decision on governance and control still pending. The Kennedy Center renaming could trigger congressional scrutiny or legislation, since federal law governs its name.
Other proposals involving currency, national landmarks, and major transportation systems remain stuck in committees or would require congressional approval, leaving their outcomes uncertain.
