Sanders-backed bill targets Trump’s ‘narcissism’ with federal building naming ban

The Legislative Push to Prevent Presidents from Naming Federal Buildings After Themselves

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has introduced a bill that aims to stop sitting presidents from naming federal buildings after themselves, which he describes as an act of "narcissism." The legislation, titled the Stop Executive Renaming for Vanity and Ego Act, seeks to prevent any federal building, land, or asset from being named in the name of a current president.

"This bill is about ending the arrogance of putting a president’s name on federal buildings," Sanders said in a press release. "It’s no secret that President Trump is undermining democracy and moving this country toward authoritarianism. Part of that strategy is to create the myth of the ‘Great Leader’ by naming public buildings after himself — something that dictators have done throughout history."

Sanders was joined by Democratic Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) in introducing the bill. According to the text of the legislation, it would prohibit the naming, renaming, designating, or redesignating of any federal building, land, or other asset in the name of a sitting president.

If passed, the legislation would require any federal property currently named after a sitting president to revert to its original name established by federal law before that president took office. This provision applies to all federal assets, including buildings, land, and other properties.

A Response to the Kennedy Center Renaming

The legislation follows a recent controversy over the renaming of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. In December 2025, the center was renamed to "The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts." This move sparked outrage among Democrats, who criticized the decision as an example of Trump’s alleged "arrogance" and "narcissism."

When asked about the senators’ remarks and the legislation, the White House responded that the Trump administration isn’t focused on "branding." A White House spokeswoman, Elizabeth Huston, stated that the administration’s focus is on delivering on President Trump’s goal of "Making America Great Again."

However, the renaming of the Kennedy Center was not without precedent. Previous presidents have had their names associated with federal landmarks while still in office. For example, Washington, D.C., was named in 1791 during George Washington’s presidency, and the Hoover Dam was named during Herbert Hoover’s term.

The Trump Administration’s Defense of the Renaming

The Trump administration announced in December 2025 that the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees unanimously voted to rename the institution, citing that Trump saved the center from financial ruin during his second term. The administration also emphasized that Trump serves as the chairman of the center’s board — a position he holds as the first president to do so.

Roma Daravi, Vice President of Public Relations at the Trump–Kennedy Center, defended the renaming, stating that Trump deserves credit for revitalizing the center after years of neglect. She argued that the legislators opposing the change were those who had previously ignored the center’s decline.

Richard Grenell, president of the Trump–Kennedy Center, added that when he took over leadership of the center, it was relying on debt reserves to pay staff. He described the center as a "thriving, bipartisan institution" that welcomes patrons of all backgrounds.

Broader Implications and Legal Challenges

The issue of renaming federal institutions extends beyond the Kennedy Center. In December 2025, the U.S. Institute of Peace was formally rebranded as the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace. This move has sparked legal battles, as lawmakers filed a lawsuit to remove Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center, and the fate of the Institute of Peace remains in court.

The White House defended the renaming of the Institute of Peace, calling it a "bloated, useless entity" that spent $50 million annually without delivering peace. They claimed that Trump ended eight wars in less than a year.

Support from Other Democratic Leaders

Several Democratic lawmakers have expressed support for the legislation, including Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), who have joined Sanders, Van Hollen, and Alsobrooks as co-sponsors.

Van Hollen emphasized that "Trump doesn’t get to slap his name on any public institution he chooses." He added that "these landmarks belong to the people, not to self-worshipers."