The Post-Journal
About Trend Of Naming Things After Oneself
Apr 11, 2026
Rolland Kidder
For example, the Washington Monument wasn’t completed
until sometime in the 1880’s, long after Washington had died. Similarly, the
Lincoln Memorial wasn’t opened until 1922 — decades after Lincoln’s untimely
assassination.
Our current President apparently can’t wait for history
to evaluate his impact on our history. Among other things, the Kennedy Center
in Washington now bears his name as well as an airport in Palm Beach which is
set to have the name “Trump” assigned to it.
I will say this about Donald Trump — he is not coy
about trying to attach his name to things. He is right up front about it.
The other day, in an off-handed manner, he used the
word “Trump Strait” in place of the name “Strait of Hormuz.” On that one, I
think he may have some insight. He was the one who got it closed by attacking
Iran, and it would be fitting if that “accomplishment” were forever associated
with his name. I’m just not sure that the Arab or Iranian world would buy into
it.
When you look back at ancient history, there are, of
course, comparisons. The various Caesars and Emperors of Rome pasted their
names all over that city and around the ancient world.
It made me think of Hadrian’s Wall in England. Maybe
the wall along the Mexican border should forever be called “Trump’s Wall.” He
has certainly been its biggest supporter, and who knows…maybe future hikers
will want to follow that wall as they have Hadrian’s in the north of England.
That brings up another issue — Donald Trump’s
Presidential Library. I thought maybe it would be in South Texas along his
Wall, though now it seems that a skyscraper in Miami with golden arches may
become the location. It seems to me that a more logical place would have been
Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. There, his golf course where he has spent
more time than any President in history, could have been incorporated into the
site.
Actually, I don’t think President Trump really is
concerned much about the location of the library as long as his name is
headlined on it. When the famous book about him, “The Art of the Deal,” was
published in 1987, he suggested that no changes be made to it by the author
except that the name “Trump” should be made much larger on the book cover.
There has even been some talk that he will try to get
an Arc D’Triomphe built in his honor near Arlington Cemetery. Others speculate
that he wants his image sculpted in granite at Mr. Rushmore in South Dakota. If
done, because there may not be enough space for it at Rushmore, it might have
to be sculpted at the nearby “Crazy Horse” monument in that state.
How it all works out…we don’t know. What seems most
evident, however, is that the oversized, ill-fitting, garish, giant ballroom to
be built next to the White House will definitely have his name on it…unless,
that is, it gets torn down by some future President to again reveal the simple
majesty of the people’s house, the White House, as we used to know it.
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