I asked Elon Musk's Grok for some help in understanding Trump's compulsion to rename everything after himself

According to Grok, it mirrors tactics like those used by Mussolini and Stalin

Despite objections from Floridians who actually live there, Palm Beach County’s airport only awaits Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature to be renamed in Donald Trump’s honor.

Legislation to retitle the airport passed handily in both houses of the Florida Legislature on party-line votes this week over furious objections from Democrats, including those from Palm Beach, which had no say in the matter.

But Trump’s White House cheered. Said Steven Cheung, the president’s communication director, the new airport name “has a GREAT ring to it.”

However, Congresswoman Lois Frankel of West Palm Beach said the vote was “misguided and unfair that the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature ignored the voices of Palm Beach County by pushing forward a bill to rename Palm Beach International Airport without giving County residents a real opportunity for input.”

In fact, a poll conducted by the Palm Beach Post showed that 90 percent of its readers were opposed to the idea. Of course, that may not be an entirely representative sample in that it was a survey among people who, by definition, know how to read, so it may have excluded some Trump supporters.

Nevertheless, the Republicans in Tallahassee believe they know what’s best for the locals, and they’ve decided any time they want, they can come to your town and start renaming things in honor of people whose favor they curry.

In fact, while this has made news all over the world, less well reported were provisions in the legislation that would allow the geniuses in Tallahassee to also rename other major airports in the state as well.

As CBS News reported:

The bill also preempts to the Legislature the naming of several airports throughout the state, including Orlando International Airport, Miami International Airport, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport, Tampa International Airport, Southwest Florida International Airport in Lee County and Jacksonville International Airport.

Democrats in the Legislature were apoplectic about all this. Said Sen. Tina Polsky of South Florida, the decision, which will cost millions of taxpayer dollars to rename the Palm Beach airport, was “shocking to me.”

Not to mention that Trump’s going to make a killing selling schlocky merch in the airport’s trinket stores now that he’s trademarked the name.

Of course, this isn’t new, it’s part and parcel of a disturbing trend.

Trump’s already insinuated his name onto Washington’s Kennedy Center, renamed the U.S. Institute of Peace after himself, he’s planning a whole new Trump class of battleships, and, closer to home, his Republican pals have already renamed a four-mile stretch of road in Palm Beach County after him. And there’s Trump Rx, Trump Gold Card visas, and Trump Accounts—tax deferred savings programs for children.

How worried should we be about this?

I thought it might be helpful to bring Trump’s pal Elon Musk in on the question, and so I consulted his new AI, Grok. I asked this question:

Is Trump renaming things for himself something we should be concerned about as a country?

Here’s Grok’s answer in its entirety. It’s a little long-winded, but rather than risk being accused of any editorial bias in editing it for length, I’m sharing the full results for your consideration:

Yes, Trump’s pattern of renaming public institutions, programs, and landmarks after himself raises legitimate concerns for the country, primarily because it challenges longstanding democratic norms, risks blurring the lines between personal gain and public service, and evokes historical precedents associated with authoritarianism. While some view it as harmless self-promotion or effective branding, the broader implications—supported by polls, expert analyses, and bipartisan pushback—suggest it’s worth national scrutiny. Below, I’ll break this down based on available evidence, aiming for a balanced perspective.

Why It Could Be Concerning

Erosion of Democratic Norms and Traditions:

U.S. presidents have historically avoided self-naming while in office, as it’s seen as un-republican or even monarchical. Features like buildings or ships are typically named after presidents posthumously or post-tenure, and usually by Congress or others, not the individual themselves. Trump’s actions, such as adding his name to the Kennedy Center and U.S. Institute of Peace, break this precedent and could normalize using public assets for personal legacy-building.

Critics, including geographers and historians, describe this as “toponymic narcissism”—using naming power to inflate one’s ego and image in the public sphere, which treats shared symbols as tools for glorification rather than civic unity. This mirrors tactics of leaders like Mussolini or Stalin, who renamed places to foster cults of personality, though direct equivalences are debated.

Potential for Abuse of Power and Conflicts of Interest:

Some renamings appear tied to political leverage, such as reports of Trump conditioning federal funding for infrastructure (e.g., New York’s Penn Station or Dulles Airport) on self-naming. This could be seen as symbolic extortion, prioritizing personal branding over public good.

Trademark filings by the Trump Organization for names like “Donald J. Trump International Airport” raise suspicions of profiteering, as they could enable licensing deals or merchandising from public facilities. While the company claims it’s to prevent misuse, it highlights blurred lines between Trump’s business empire and government.

Legal questions abound: Federal law often requires congressional approval for such changes, and actions like the Kennedy Center rename have been called illegal by critics, including Kennedy family members. Bipartisan responses include bills like the SERVE Act (Stop Executive Renaming for Vanity and Ego) to ban self-naming by sitting presidents.

Public and Institutional Backlash:

Polls show widespread disapproval: For instance, 64% of Americans oppose renaming the Kennedy Center to include Trump’s name, and 66% oppose renaming Dulles Airport after him, with majorities across parties (including 3 in 10 Republicans) viewing it as going too far. This reflects broader unease about imposing a president’s image on daily life, like banners on the Justice Department.

Cultural impacts are tangible: The Kennedy Center has seen ticket sales plummet, artist boycotts, and a planned two-year closure, potentially harming arts access. Public discourse on platforms like X echoes this, with users calling it “pathological” or “insecure,” linking it to malignant narcissism.

Broader Societal Implications:

It could signal a shift toward personality-driven governance, where loyalty to an individual overshadows institutions. This concerns experts worried about democratic backsliding, especially amid other actions like politicizing agencies. As one analyst notes, it’s not just about names—it’s rewriting American history in one’s image.

Arguments Against Concern

It’s Just Branding: Trump’s background as a real estate mogul means naming is part of his style—think Trump Tower or steaks. Some see it as savvy marketing that boosts visibility for programs like TrumpRx (drug savings) or Trump Accounts (child savings), without inherent harm. Government speech allows such naming, and reversals (e.g., by future administrations) are possible.

No Real Consequences: Skeptics argue laws aren’t enforced against him, so it’s symbolic bluster rather than substantive threat. History shows presidents like Jackson avoided self-naming to preserve legacy, but Trump might be preempting judgment.

Public Support in Some Quarters: In Republican-led states like Florida, renamings (e.g., Palm Beach Airport) pass with majority votes, viewing it as honoring a transformative leader.

Should We Be Concerned as a Country?

On balance, yes—particularly if it escalates or sets precedents that future leaders exploit. It’s not an existential threat in isolation, but part of a pattern that could undermine trust in institutions. Monitoring through journalism, polls, and legislation is key to ensuring public assets remain for the people, not personal aggrandizement. If this resonates with authoritarian “dictator vibes,” as some describe, it’s a reminder to safeguard norms. Ultimately, voters and Congress hold the power to push back.

So, when legislators in Florida, as they have just done, go about renaming things for Trump, are they actually enabling his questionable behavior?

Grok had this to say about that:

Ultimately, it’s political theater—honoring for fans, enabling for detractors—but worth watching if it escalates, as it tests the boundaries between admiration and authoritarianism in a democracy.

So, where is that boundary in Florida? Will it stop with the renaming of Palm Beach County’s airport? Or continue?

Is there a limit to how deeply these Republicans can bow and scrape to their would-be monarch?

Shall we rename the state’s flagship school the Donald J. Trump University of Florida? After all, he ran a college for a while, Trump U., before it was shut down, no thanks to Pam Bondi who declined to investigate it.

Is the Gulf of America just a placeholder until it can be renamed The Gulf of Trump?

Will the Legislature stop with airports? Could they rename Palm Beach, home of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago? How’s Trumpville sound? Or maybe Trumpopolis. Or, perhaps, Isla de Trump.

Oh, and our state flag? You know, the one with those crossed red bars, so reminiscent of our Confederate roots, what’s with that silly state seal in the middle? Wouldn’t that be the perfect place for an image of our dear leader?

However, Gov. Ron DeSantis could put a stop to all this by vetoing the legislation renaming Palm Beach’s airport.

Any thoughts on the odds of that happening?

J.C. Bruce is the founder of Tropic Press, a Florida online news service dedicated to sharing news and commentary relevant to Florida readers, whether it originates in the Sunshine State or elsewhere. Bruce is an award-winning former newspaper editor, journalist and author living in Florida, his native state.

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