Key facts
- President Trump's name and face are being incorporated into government initiatives during his second term.
- The 2026 America the Beautiful pass will feature President Trump's official White House portrait.
- The United States Institute of Peace has been renamed the Donald J. Trump United States Institute of Peace.
- A new class of US Navy battleships, the "Trump-class," is planned, with the USS Defiant slated for procurement in 2028.
- A lawsuit has been filed by the Center for Biological Diversity to block Trump's image from the America the Beautiful pass.
During his second term, President Donald Trump has been associated with the renaming of several government programs and buildings, a trend that has drawn criticism and legal challenges. The White House maintains that these recognitions are natural given his accomplishments.
One notable instance is the 2026 America the Beautiful pass, which will feature President Trump's official portrait alongside George Washington. This decision has led to a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, alleging it violates federal law requiring the pass to feature a winning photo from a National Parks Foundation contest. A White House spokesperson dismissed the lawsuit as "frivolous."
Additionally, the United States Institute of Peace has been renamed the Donald J. Trump United States Institute of Peace. Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly supported the change, stating it reflects Trump's commitment to peace. Trump himself has indicated that Rubio proposed the renaming.
Furthermore, President Trump announced a new "Trump-class" of ships as part of an initiative to bolster American shipbuilding. The fiscal year 2027 defense budget includes significant funding for this "Golden Fleet," which will feature battleships named after Trump. The USS Defiant, a "Trump-class" battleship, is projected to cost over $17 billion and is slated for procurement in 2028.
Earlier in his term, Trump's name was added to the Kennedy Center, but this change was subsequently reversed.