MAGA supporters nationwide are enthusiastic about showing devotion to President Donald Trump by proposing to place his name or image on U.S. currency, airports, roadways, and even Mt. Rushmore.
The Trump administration has emphasized that the president, known for prominently displaying his name on various properties, values loyalty above all else.
However, on Thursday, Arizona Senate Republicans failed to gather sufficient votes to recommend renaming State Route 260, which travels through rural areas between Cottonwood and Show Low, as “Donald J. Trump Highway.”
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Senate Concurrent Memorial 1001, introduced by fervent MAGA supporter Sen. Wendy Rogers from Flagstaff, aimed to urge the State Board on Geographic and Historic Names to rename the highway that passes through her district in honor of Trump.
However, Senator Frank Carroll from Sun City West voted against the measure, leading to its defeat with a 15-9 vote. Another Republican senator, Shawna Bolick, was absent. Since memorials do not carry legal weight, even if Carroll or Bolick had supported the proposal, it would have remained merely a recommendation.
Carroll stated that while many constituents would like to see a highway named after Trump—whom he believes will “be remembered in history as the greatest president of the 21st century”—he felt it was more appropriate to wait until Trump has completed his second term.
Rogers, known for her striking gold Donald Trump sneakers priced at $399, pledged to reintroduce SCM1001 annually until it receives approval. This marks her third attempt at the measure, with earlier efforts in 2021 and 2022 failing to even receive a committee hearing, let alone a floor vote.
Before casting her vote against the memorial, Senator Theresa Hatathlie, a Democrat from Coal Mine Mesa, pointed out that the Arizona State Board on Geographic and Historic Names, adhering to the naming regulations of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, typically does not consider naming a landmark after an individual until they have been deceased for at least five years. Furthermore, there must be some connection or contribution from the individual to the landmark or area being memorialized.
Senator Mitzi Epstein from Tempe expressed her disapproval of Rogers’ proposal.
“Public places should honor individuals who have lived exemplary lives, not someone with a questionable personal history,” Epstein remarked, referencing Trump’s failure to pay employees and felony convictions linked to attempts to conceal an affair.
She added that Trump undermined democracy on January 6, 2021, when his followers stormed the U.S. Capitol in a bid to obstruct the transfer of power from Trump to Joe Biden.
Senator Mark Finchem from Prescott, a noted election denier, dismissed Epstein’s critiques of Trump as mere “propaganda.” Finchem was present at the Capitol on January 6, making supportive comments about the events on social media as rioters clashed with police during their assault on the seat of American democracy, aiming to keep Trump in office following his electoral loss to Joe Biden.
The text of SCM1001 highlights what Rogers believes to be Trump’s achievements, including the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency, “which aims to dismantle government bureaucracy, eliminate unnecessary regulations, reduce wasteful spending, and restructure federal agencies.”
Thus far, DOGE, led by unelected billionaire Elon Musk, has plunged the federal government into turmoil by recklessly firing employees under the guise of “cutting waste, fraud, and abuse,” although they have had to backtrack and request many of those employees to return after realizing their roles were crucial for public safety.
Several lawsuits have claimed that DOGE’s actions lack legality, with some judges already blocking certain initiatives by the group.
In her proposal, Rogers lauds Trump for constructing 400 miles of “the world’s most formidable and advanced border wall,” as well as for tax cuts and withdrawing from the United Nations Paris Climate Agreement.
Arizona is not the only state where Republicans are eager to please Trump by naming landmarks in his honor. Similar proposals have been introduced for a Donald J. Trump Highway in Missouri, Kentucky, Wyoming, and Utah, according to Politico.
Recently, Republican lawmakers in West Virginia suggested a resolution to rename Spruce Knob, the highest point in the state, to “Trump Mountain.” Additionally, a state representative in Tennessee is advocating for Nashville’s airport to be renamed after him.
Republican congress members have introduced legislation to rename Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia in Trump’s honor.
Moreover, there are proposals from Republican congressmen to feature Trump’s likeness on $100 bills and to create a new $250 bill adorned with his image.
A congresswoman from Florida even put forth legislation shortly after Trump assumed office in January to place his likeness on Mount Rushmore, alongside George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
In a fashion reminiscent of the assertions made in Rogers’ proposal, remarks concerning the proposed name changes in honor of Trump include abundant praise for the president, with some congressional members referring to him as “the best president of their lifetime,” despite it being merely six weeks into his second term.
“Donald J. Trump’s foremost priority as president is to advocate for the best interests of American workers and families,” the text of SCM1001 asserts.
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