In his tragedy Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare immortalized these lines: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” The famous balcony speech delivered by Juliet attempted to show how insignificant a name can be in comparison to authentic human emotion. We are more than just our names, is the message conveyed.
Unfortunately, this concept does not currently carry much weight in our nation’s capital. President Donald Trump has upended the famous playwright’s adage by insisting the Trump name be used to enhance his own power and prestige.
If Trump were to write a tragedy (and only time will tell if he actually is), I contend his script would include these alternative lines: “A name counts for everything. Especially when it’s my name.” A recent action that changes the name of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts by adding the Trump moniker serves as proof of this egotistical state of mind.
Needless to say, many Americans are upset with this idea. But to these people, I suggest you put aside negative feelings in favor of nothing less than ensuring peace in Europe. After reviewing the suggestion offered below addressing employment of the Trump name, you will no doubt agree holding one’s nose while satisfying Trump’s ego is actually a small price to pay for producing a huge world peace dividend. Let me explain further.
Since coming to office, Trump has touted his performance as the best in recorded history, firing off a constant barrage of fantastical descriptors to ensure everyone recognizes the past year under his leadership has been super fantastic. After 11 months, he claims credit for the best economy ever, for a country that is the hottest country anywhere in the world, and for playing a key role in settling no less than eight wars.
His cabinet members know enough to act like pathetic minions in offering flattering comments about his presidency whenever the media is present. When going around the White House conference table, these sycophants are quite adept at showering the president with compliments.
And national and world leaders know a visit to the Oval Office requires a dose of Trump adulation in order to be considered a success. New York City’s mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, the same politico that Trump previously accused of being a dangerous Communist radical, effectively demonstrated how to accomplish such a task. By the time he finished cleverly fawning over Trump during his November White House visit, the President practically proclaimed Mamdani a new best buddy. This is the power of flattery in the Trump presidential era.
Unfortunately, Ukraine’s president had to learn all this the hard way. Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the White House in February ended with an ugly public dressing down by Trump, who felt he deserved much more adulation from the Ukraine leader. To hell with the fate of democracy in Europe, Trump seemed to say; all that really mattered was that Zelensky act like a Fox News host and crow about the American president’s leadership, his willingness to hand over weapons, and perhaps throw in a reference to his macho ability to pick up chicks.
Now, people are in an uproar about the name change to The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. Trump insists the center’s governing board members were all in favor of the name change. Of course, these Trump loyalists were all appointed by him. Nevertheless, I say let him enjoy this act of pomposity as it serves as an effective precedent for bringing about peace in Ukraine.
Trump has made it quite clear he is not a fan of Ukraine, nor much a fan of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance that has kept the peace in Europe for over 70 years, but whose members Trump believes take the United States for a rich sucker. His admiration for Russia’s Vladmir Putin puts the future of both Ukraine and NATO at risk.
Fortunately, the solution is simple. Re-name the alliance’s acronym — NATO — and replace it with TRUMP. This new acronym will stand for Tanks and Rifles Under Pentagon Management.
This solves two critical problems. First, though Trump may despise NATO, he is bound to love any organization named TRUMP. Once the name change occurs, he will no doubt heap it with lots of praise, and loads of weapons. TRUMP will soon be known as the greatest military organization in history — the hottest military outfit in the world. European democracies will surely draw comfort from the alliance’s rise in stature.
Second, any solution to the Ukraine-Russia conflict must address Ukraine’s prospects for someday joining NATO. This appears to be a sticking point for Putin, who is adamantly against the idea. It appears Zelensky is ready to drop that request. However, if the organization is referred to as TRUMP, no way our egotistical president will ever deny a country possessing vast amounts of seaside real estate property the opportunity to join. He will become Ukraine’s number one membership advocate.
If Americans want to argue about renaming the Kennedy Center, I recommend not wasting the energy. Put aside your disgust and just accept the inevitable; focus instead on the re-naming of NATO. Ukraine, and Western democracy will someday thank you for it.
Steve Rodriguez is a retired Marine Corps officer and high school teacher who last taught at Olympian High School in Chula Vista.
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