Trump's Renaming Campaign: A Controversial Legacy

Since taking office, President Donald Trump has pursued a campaign to rename various geographic locations and federal buildings, a move characterized by critics as a form of self-aggrandizement. His efforts include renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" and reverting Alaska's Mount Denali back to Mount McKinley, actions that have sparked significant debate regarding their implications and legality.

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On January 20, 2025, Trump issued an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico, claiming it was part of "restoring" American heritage. Additionally, he reverted the name of Mount Denali to Mount McKinley, stating this was meant to honor the 25th U.S. President, William McKinley. These changes have been met with resistance; for instance, the U.S. Geographic Names Information System adopted the new names, but international entities, including Mexico, continue to use the historical names.

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Trump has also unilaterally renamed several federal buildings, including the U.S. Institute of Peace and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which now bears his name alongside Kennedy's. This practice diverges from historical norms, where such honors typically require congressional approval.

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Critics argue that Trump's renaming initiatives reflect a form of "toponymic narcissism," a term coined by Reuben Rose-Redwood, a geography professor. This behavior is likened to authoritarian leaders who seek to enhance their image through public symbols. Barbara A. Perry, a presidential studies professor, noted that most previous presidents refrained from self-naming to avoid appearing self-serving. In response to these changes, Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Joyce Beatty and Sen. Bernie Sanders, have proposed legislation to prohibit naming federal property after sitting presidents, exemplified by the Stop Executive Renaming for Vanity and Ego (SERVE) Act.

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The legality of Trump's renaming actions has been challenged. Beatty has sought to block the addition of Trump's name to the Kennedy Center, arguing that it undermines the original intent to honor Kennedy alone. Experts suggest that a future administration could reverse these changes through new executive orders or congressional action, particularly if a Democratic president is elected.

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Looking ahead, the fate of Trump's renaming initiatives remains uncertain. If the next president chooses to restore the original names, they could issue an executive order or encourage the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to reconsider the changes. However, many Americans may continue to refer to the Gulf as the Gulf of Mexico, as place names often endure based on public sentiment rather than political influence.

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• “Most previous presidents did not want to name things for themselves or have entities named for them during their lives, except for their libraries, of course, because they didn’t want to appear self-serving or self-aggrandizing,” — Barbara A. Perry, Professor of Presidential Studies

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• “It’s a geographical form of self-aggrandizement that we typically see in cults of personality associated with authoritarian dictators.” — Reuben Rose-Redwood, Professor of Geography

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• “Generally, place-names generally endure when they are short and easy to pronounce, have no popular rival, and are tied to the land or its people rather than a political system or person,” — Gene Rhea Tucker, Professor of History

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In conclusion, Trump's renaming campaign raises questions about the intersection of politics, identity, and public memory, with potential long-term implications for how history is recorded and honored in the United States.

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