The Trumpsonian Institution

The Smithsonian Institution began with a bequest from English scientist James Smithson, who, having never visited America, left his fortune to the U.S. for “the increase and diffusion of knowledge,” leading to its congressional founding in 1846. Initially centered around scientific research in its first building, the iconic Smithsonian Castle, it evolved into the world’s largest museum and research complex, incorporating such diverse fields as history, art, and anthropology. After 180 years, it now includes 17 museums and the National Zoo.

But it is far too ‘woke’ for our man in the Oval Office, whatever that actually means.

“By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:” Not actually true. An Executive Order depends upon a ‘national emergency’ and none pertains to the Smithsonian, other than his own threat.

“Over the past decade, Americans have witnessed a concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our Nation’s history, replacing objective facts with a distorted narrative driven by ideology rather than truth. This revisionist movement seeks to undermine the remarkable achievements of the United States by casting its founding principles and historical milestones in a negative light. Under this historical revision, our Nation’s unparalleled legacy of advancing liberty, individual rights, and human happiness is reconstructed as inherently racist, sexist, oppressive, or otherwise irredeemably flawed. Rather than fostering unity and a deeper understanding of our shared past, the widespread effort to rewrite history deepens societal divides and fosters a sense of national shame, disregarding the progress America has made and the ideals that continue to inspire millions around the globe.”

I suppose, if you leave out a few ‘inspirations’ such as slavery, a genocide against native Americans (those inconvenient inhabitants for the 12,000 years before we came), a history of continuous war, and the fact that lynching black Americans was not against the law until March of 2022, then Trump may have a case.

The executive order was titled Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History. So far, at least, Trump has restrained himself from renaming the 200-year-old institution for himself but, hang on troops, we have three years left for him to do so.

And here’s the route:

“As appropriate, the Vice President shall, in consultation with the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and Special Assistant to the President and Senior Associate Staff Secretary, Lindsey Halligan, Esq., work with the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Senate Majority Leader, to seek the appointment of citizen members to the Smithsonian Board of Regents committed to advancing the policy of this order.”

The Board of Regents.

Along with “Remember the Alamo,” we can more recently “Remember the Kennedy Center.”

Our president has a knack for naming objects in his likeness. One need only bring to mind the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, now renamed, if he can make it stick, the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. A perennial hopeful for a Nobel Peace Prize, our hero placed his name on the headquarters of the U.S. Institute of Peace, a congressionally funded think tank, just last month. “Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace” comes more easily to the prez’s lips.

And The Trumpster has an innovative process for having things go his way, locally, internationally, politically and militarily.

If it had a name, that name for the process would be, “fire everyone in opposition, until you get down to someone who will acquiesce.” You may not get the brightest and the best by that method (consider the members of his Cabinet), but you achieve the goal and pick up some additional people who will flatter your ego.

And so, in the case of the Kennedy Center, the Trumpster fired any Board Members who opposed his takeover, appointed himself Chairman of the Board, and brought the name change to a vote. Unanimous political approval magnanimously achieved.

On the military side, once the Donald had his young, untested, alcoholic Fox News reader approved as Secretary of Defense (now Secretary of War), the youngster obediently fired the heads of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Joint Chief of Staff, all of whom had reached their leadership roles by chain-of-command.

Then the kid called all flag officers (our top 800 military rank) in from their various international commands, to ream them out, threaten their command authority and introduce them to his vision of a new, tough, ruthless higher authority. The inference was, bone-spurs and rehab programs be damned, they could either sign on or leave the room. Dismissed like cadets, they filed out to return to some 800 worldwide military commands. Although not confirmed, it was quietly suggested that their oath of office was pledged to the Constitution of the United States, and not their presidential leadership.

Recent news of a military attack in Venezuela and threatened attack in Greenland leave questions in the air over authority.

Even so, Republican lawmakers have proposed numerous bills and resolutions that would lionize Trump or feature his image over the balance of his presidency.

Heading the suck-up parade, Rep. Addison McDowell, R-North Carolina, introduced legislation in January to rename Washington Dulles International Airport to Donald J. Trump International Airport. Though not yet brought to a vote, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Dec. 2 that they are planning to overhaul and update the airport.

Next up, Rep. Greg Steube, R-Florida, introduced the “Make Autorail Great Again Act,” adding an additional A to MAGA, which would rename the Washington Metrorail as the “Trump Train.” Personally, I prefer “Trump Gravy Train,” but I have no vote on the matter.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Florida, introduced a lunatic bill in January, proposing to carve Trump’s image into Mount Rushmore. The bill, lacking certain enthusiasms, has not moved past the House Committee on Natural Resources.

$100 bills - In March, Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, introduced the Golden Age Act of 2025, which would require $100 bills to feature a picture of Trump on their face. The $100 bill currently features Benjamin Franklin. It was referred to the House Committee on Financial Services. Ben meets the requirement of being dead, and currency restrictions disallow any living person from being honored on currency. But, keep the thought, Brandon.

Trump accounts - As part of the Republicans’ tax plan passed in July, babies born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028, will receive a $1,000 contribution to a savings account that will grow with the stock market. The program was once known as the “MAGA accounts” but was renamed to “Trump accounts” during the legislative process.

Oh my, does it never stop?

Apparently not, at least not yet. Others (as in Trump’s favorite “Others have said”) have pushed to award Trump the Congressional Gold Medal for foreign policy achievements, as well as to rename state roadways after him, or to apply his name to the nation’s nearly 4.4 million square mile Exclusive Economic Zone (whatever the hell that is).