Trump naming spree on government buildings may diminish his legacy

In 1839, shortly before President Donald Trump’s favorite president, Andrew Jackson, died, an admirer offered him an ancient Roman sarcophagus thought to have once held the remains of an emperor. Jackson rejected the offer, saying, “My Republican feelings and principles forbid it.” There may be a lesson here.

Since Trump returned to the White House more than a year ago, it seems like every day something new is named after him. The Kennedy Center, the Institute of Peace building, the new class of warship, the Palm Beach airport and, who are we kidding, finally the White House ballroom.

Meanwhile, a giant banner depicting Trump’s stern features was draped over the Justice Department this week; This isn’t the first public building to be decorated with the president’s face staring back at us.

It all seems like it’s gone a bit too far, but not for the reasons generally stated. Instead, the sheer amount of Trump-branded government buildings begins to diminish the meaning and impact of it all.

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To be clear, there is no risk of a major political backlash from voters since Trump’s name and image are plastered all over Washington like posters for a Dave Matthews Band concert. Those who hate him call it ‘Dear Leader’ fascism, while those who love him take selfies. Everyone shrugs and says, “That’s Trump.”

Culturally, the question of whether it is rude or indecent to name everything after yourself is subjective and a matter of personal taste. For voters, it ranks below musical taste as a priority.

After all, every city has John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. There are boulevards, but to tell the truth they have been killed, which is a great advantage if your aim is to have things named after you.

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No, the real question is whether this avalanche of anonymous initiatives polishes or diminishes the president’s legacy, and in the far-seeing eyes of history, less is often more.

I get it, Trump has spent his entire life growing buildings out of the ground so he can slap his own name on them, big as life and often in gold. Leaving something lasting is an admirable and very human impulse.

The image shown behind Trump showed an example of the new “Trump class” warships. (Jessica Koscielniak/Reuters)

The president was very good at leaving his mark. Believe me, I’ve lived in New York for 20 years and you really can’t miss it. But now all that glass and steel has turned out to be flimsy and impermanent compared to Trump, who will be talked about and discussed for centuries.

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It is no longer in the rocky metal or cold plastic of physical reality that Trump’s true legacy must be forged. On the contrary, it is the invisible fire of the future where people, not buildings, will be judged.

With his bold vision, Trump achieved immortality not only in America but throughout the world. He stands as the most important figure of the early 21st century. We don’t need to name every county courthouse and 1-95 rest stop after him.

Throwing your name everywhere in giant fonts is actually the kind of eccentric behavior that has been mocked for thousands of years. Like Caligula threatening to make his horse consul of Rome, this will be used by many to show that there is a narcissistic frenzy in Trump because it is already used that way.

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Trump will never be the humble Abe Lincoln type with his shawl and “No one will remember my speech” attitude. This is great, his bragging is so entertaining. But I don’t want to live in a world where I check my Trump watch on the way to the Trump airport to see if it’s time for a Trump burger.

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As it turned out, “Old Hickory” Andrew Jackson was to be buried in a plain pine chest, but the ancient treasure he rejected was still housed at the Smithsonian. And instead of paying tribute to him with a marble masterpiece, we keep little paintings of him in our pockets.

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More importantly, our current commander-in-chief still draws on Jackson’s power and values ​​to this day, with or without ostentatious Roman sarcophagi.

The more things we name after Trump, the less it means anything, and the more forced it feels when it’s not necessary. No one, including Trump, needs to convince us that he is a figure of historical importance. Seeing this advertised over and over again is starting to make things feel a little cheap.

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