Trump Stamps His Mark: From Gold Coins to White House Makeovers

Trump’s Name Game: A History of Branding

Donald Trump has a long history of putting his name on everything. From buildings and ice rinks to universities, his signature branding is well-known. During his 2016 presidential campaign, his name appeared on steaks, water bottles, magazines, and wine. The idea was simple: if there was space for “Trump,” it would be there.

This constant branding was so noticeable that Mitt Romney, during the 2016 election, held a news conference. He called Trump’s business ventures fake or failed. Romney urged voters to see how “very, very not smart” Donald Trump was. For the record, the steaks seen in images were Bush Brothers’ steaks, not Trump’s. The water was bottled by Village Springs, and the magazines were simply customizable content. The wine was registered only to Eric Trump, with the website clarifying it was not linked to Donald J. Trump.

Remaking D.C. in Trump’s Image

Despite Romney’s warnings, voters elected Trump to the White House. Now, having served as president, Trump appears to be redecorating and renaming as much of Washington, D.C. as possible in his image. This includes significant changes to prominent national landmarks and institutions.

The Kennedy Center Renamed

One of the most striking changes is the renaming of the Kennedy Center. It is now referred to as the Donald J. Trump Kennedy Center. This move signifies a shift in how national cultural institutions are being associated with the current administration.

White House Makeovers

The White House itself is undergoing notable transformations. Reports indicate the Oval Office is now covered in ornamental gold. The East Wing is a construction site, preparing for a large ballroom. This new ballroom is described as Mar-a-Lago-esque and is intended to be significantly larger than the existing White House spaces.

New Monuments and a Gold Coin

Beyond the buildings, Trump’s mark is extending to new monuments. Plans are in the works for an arch bearing Trump’s name, set to span the river opposite the Lincoln Memorial. This would add a new, prominent symbol to the nation’s capital.

Most recently, a 24-carat commemorative gold coin featuring President Trump was approved. The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, a panel composed entirely of Trump appointees, gave the green light. The coin shows Trump with both fists on the Resolute Desk, under the word “Liberty.” It is designed as a collectible to mark the nation’s 250th birthday on July 4th.

Controversy Surrounds Commemorative Coins

While this gold coin is a collectible and not intended for general circulation, there’s a separate discussion about a $1 Trump coin. This potential coin raises legal questions. Federal law generally prohibits living presidents from appearing on U.S. currency. Despite this, the Treasury is moving forward with exploring these options on the U.S. Mint website.

A bipartisan advisory panel, created by Congress, has opposed both coin proposals. The panel warned that the designs conflict with the country’s founding principles. They called the designs “abhorrent to the Declaration of Independence,” emphasizing that the United States does not have kings. Ari Fleischer, a former White House press secretary, expressed concern over the gold coin. He argued that honors like this are typically given after a president has served their term. Fleischer believes this move would be a significant mistake, potentially harming the president and his cause, and urged him not to proceed.

Looking Ahead

The approval of the gold coin and the ongoing renovations in Washington signal a clear effort to imprint Donald Trump’s legacy on the nation’s capital. Whether these changes will be embraced or face further opposition remains to be seen. The debate over the commemorative coins, in particular, highlights the tension between presidential commemoration and established legal and historical norms. Future decisions from the Treasury and reactions from Congress and the public will shape how these efforts to mark Trump’s presidency continue.

Source: The Kennedy Center, the White House and now a gold coin – How Trump is making his mark (YouTube)