Kathrine Frich
He has his eye on Ford’s Theatre in Washington.
Presidents always want to leave their mark on history.
Sometimes that means passing sweeping new laws or changing global alliances.
Other times, it simply comes down to putting a personal brand on a famous building.
Eyeing a historic stage
President Donald Trump is reportedly looking at a highly sensitive national landmark for his next vanity project. According to Irish Star insiders say he has his eye on Ford’s Theatre in Washington.
This is the very venue where former President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865. The historic site currently operates as a working theater and a museum under the Interior Department.
The exact details of how the administration would attach the president’s name to the building remain unclear. Any official change to the venue’s name would likely require direct permission from Congress due to a federal statute signed by Richard Nixon, according to MS Now.
The flattery game
According to the news outlet, the administration is actively searching for government properties they can rebrand without sparking major legal battles. A former official explained that aides often suggest these projects just to please the president.
“They know flattery gets them everything,” the former official told MS Now. The insider added that advisers offer these ideas hoping to get a political favor in return.
Previous attempts to rename massive venues have not gone smoothly. Efforts to put the Trump name on the Institute of Peace and the Kennedy Center immediately sparked lawsuits.
A federal judge recently blocked the Kennedy Center change for a second time. Shortly after that ruling, the president was photographed looking at a poster that appeared to show the demolition of the famous performing arts center, according to the Irish Star.
A furious rejection
The White House immediately pushed back against the rapidly spreading theater rumor. To shut the story down, spokesman Davis Ingle issued a fiery public statement denying the entire concept.
“This story is completely false. The reality is that failing MS Now continues to push false and baseless claims from anonymous sources who have no clue what they’re talking about, which is exactly why their credibility is in the toilet. It is embarrassing to watch,” Ingle told the news outlet.
Even if the theater plan fails, the current administration has found other ways to leave a mark. The president has already successfully placed his branding on special national park passes, one-dollar gold coins, and special-edition passports.
Sources: MS Now, Irish Star
