In a recent editorial featured in US gay magazine The Advocate, concerns have been raised regarding the extensive endeavours by some House Republicans to bestow honours upon President Donald Trump, indicating an alarming trend in political ass-kissing among party members. This phenomenon is particularly remarkable given the controversial and, in many views, damaging legacy associated with Trump.
The article highlights various proposals, including a bill from U.S. Representative Addison McDowell of North Carolina, which seeks to rename Washington Dulles International Airport after Trump. McDowell expressed that Trump "took a bullet for us" and is "going to save the country." However, critics question the appropriateness of such a move, considering Trump's past actions regarding immigration and travel policies, which many see as directly opposing the values of international travel and diplomacy.
Furthermore, Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna has introduced a bill to immortalise Trump’s face on Mount Rushmore. Luna touts Trump's "remarkable accomplishments," but specifics on what these accomplishments entail remain elusive, unless you count alienating the entire LGBTQ+ population.
Texas Representative Brandon Gill has put forth the Golden Age Act of 2025, advocating for Trump's portrait to replace Benjamin Franklin on the $100 bill. Gill claims Trump ushered in a "golden age" for America, though this assertion contradicts various economic analyses and the realities of financial turmoil during Trump's administration. South Carolina's Joe Wilson has also proposed a new $250 bill featuring Trump's likeness, illustrating how some lawmakers are attempting to rewrite fiscal history to align with their political narratives.
Additionally, New York Representative Claudia Tenney is advocating for Trump’s birthday, June 14, to be designated as a federal holiday, coinciding with Flag Day. Tenney asserts that Trump's influence warrants such recognition, although the comparison to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln—both pivotal figures in American history—is contentious, given Trump's impeachment record and ‘pussy grab’ comments.
Criticism is aimed not only at the proposals themselves but also at the stark contrast with contributions from historically significant figures who remain unsung, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. The article specifically mentions notable activists such as Bayard Rustin, Marsha P. Johnson, and Sylvia Rivera, all of whom made significant strides in the realms of civil rights and LGBTQ+ advocacy. These figures are cited as deserving of recognition far exceeding any complex honour granted to Trump, who many believe overlooks or undermines their legacies.
In this context, the article suggests alternative, satirical ideas for how Trump could be memorialised, including naming federal penitentiaries after him or placing his likeness on less desirable currency like the penny.
Source: Noah Wire Services