House Republicans, never ones to shy away from making a bold political statement, are aiming to etch Donald Trump’s name into the fabric of Washington, D.C., quite literally. Their newest initiative? Renaming Washington Dulles International Airport after the 45th—and now 47th—President of the United States. Spearheading this effort is freshman Rep. Addison McDowell of North Carolina, who introduced a bill to rechristen the Virginia airport as Donald J. Trump International Airport. Because, clearly, nothing screams “golden age of America” like slapping Trump’s name on an international travel hub.
McDowell pitched the rebranding as a tribute to what he described as Trump’s transformative leadership. Framing the former president as a historical figure ushering in a new era of American greatness, McDowell argued that it’s only fitting for both D.C.-area airports to honor “two of the best presidents” in U.S. history. The bill itself is remarkably straightforward, calling for all official references, maps, and documents to reflect the airport’s new name, as though the change alone might inspire national revitalization. Cynics might wonder whether this is less about legacy and more about showmanship, but McDowell seems determined to push forward.
Joining McDowell in this mission are Reps. Guy Reschenthaler of Pennsylvania, Brandon Gill of Texas, Riley Moore of West Virginia, and Brian Jack of Georgia. Reschenthaler, who floated a similar idea during the last Congress, framed Trump as “the greatest president of my lifetime” and touted the bill as a fitting way to enshrine his legacy. That previous attempt, unsurprisingly, died in committee. But with Republicans now holding both chambers of Congress and Trump firmly back in the Oval Office, supporters believe this time might be different. Reschenthaler’s statement had all the subtlety of a campaign rally, as he painted Trump as a heroic figure deserving of such an honor.
Riley Moore added his voice to the chorus, calling Trump the most significant political figure of his era. Moore hailed Trump’s policies and connection to the so-called “forgotten men and women” of America as evidence of his enduring impact. Moore, along with his co-sponsors, expressed optimism that the bill will make it to the House floor, where it’s sure to provoke lively—and likely partisan—debate. After all, Democrats aren’t exactly known for letting a proposal like this slide quietly by.
The current namesake of Dulles Airport, John Foster Dulles, was no lightweight. As Secretary of State under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, he played a critical role in shaping Cold War diplomacy, and the airport has borne his name since it opened in 1962. Predictably, Democrats pushed back hard the last time Republicans floated this idea, calling it a partisan stunt. With this renewed push, the stage is set for another round of Washington theatrics, proving that even something as mundane as an airport name can become the latest battlefield in America’s never-ending culture wars.
