There are hints of the Soviet Union in the United States. As in the days of Stalin, when towns, schools and public squares bore the name of the "Little Father of the People", the American administration is toying with the idea of renaming certain institutions and infrastructures after the "greatest American president of all time", to use the terminology in vogue at the White House.
Donald Trump is seeking to put his name on a number of public buildings and infrastructures to mark his passing. According to the British daily The GuardianIt has a distinctly dictator vibe.
Among the public buildings, the most spectacular is the renaming of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Artsinaugurated in 1971 as a living memorial to the assassinated president. Since December, Trump's name has been added, a decision deemed illegal by some critics, including those close to Kennedy. The same applies to the United States Institute of PeaceNow renamed the Donald Trump United States Institute of Peace. On the sports front, the future Washington Commanders could become Trump Stadium.
In the transport sector, Florida recently voted to rename West Palm Beach airport - the main hub for flights to Mar-a-Lago - as "President Donald J Trump International Airport". The " Trump Organization " has registered the corresponding trademark, raising questions about possible commercial spin-offs. A stretch of road leading to Mar-a-Lago has become "President Donald J Trump Boulevard".
In New York, Penn Station is also on the President's radar. The American President recently indicated that he would authorise federal funding for the renovation of this station... on condition that it bears his name!
Finally, there is Washington Dulles International Airport, the main gateway for international airlines to the federal capital. On 23 January, a bill was introduced in Congress to rename the airport "Donald J. Trump International Airport", even going so far as to remove the name Washington. This would make it possible one day - if the proposal is finally passed - to fly from "President Donald J. Trump International Airport" to "Donald J. Trump International Airport". Absolute bliss...
