You’ve probably seen self-obsessed people, and you’ve definitely seen narcissists. But it’s time to meet their final boss. Say hello to the President of the U.S., Donald Trump, who might soon rename the country to the “United States of Trump.”
On Wednesday, Dec. 3, the State Department announced that the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) will be rebranded as the “Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace.” And before you assume this decision comes from goodwill, wait until you hear Trump’s history with the institute.
Trump tried to destroy the United States Institute of Peace 10 months ago
Back in February, Trump signed an executive order aimed at reducing or dismantling certain government-linked organizations. USIP was on that list. A month later, he fired most of its board members, removed its president, and cut its funding. Eventually, he dismissed nearly all of USIP’s headquarters staff. He even attempted to seize control of its Washington headquarters through his so-called Department of Government Efficiency.
But the institute is a congressionally-created independent nonprofit working since 1984. Though it is funded by Congress, it has always held an independent status. This became the base for a lawsuit challenging Trump’s takeover in May 2025. The case fell into the USIP staff’s lap, and they regained control of the organization. But an appeals court panel later granted a stay to the judge’s decision and reinstated Trump’s DOGE’s control again.
The renaming might be an under-the-table deal
But USIP isn’t just another agency. It’s a congressionally created, independent nonprofit that has operated since 1984. Its autonomy became the basis for a lawsuit challenging Trump’s attempted takeover in May 2025. The institute briefly regained control after a court ruling and reinstated all fired staff (via AP News). But an appeals panel later put that decision on hold, restoring authority to Trump’s DOGE team.
The whole ordeal left USIP’s future hanging in the balance. And now, the sudden renaming suggests Trump may have struck some behind-the-scenes deal with the institute. Rebranding an institution after the very person it once sued doesn’t exactly scream “pure motives.” What is clear, though, is that with Trump’s name on the building, the institute won’t worry about funding again.
Trump is awarding himself medals because no one else will
But situating Trump in the picture, the renaming is as funny as it is outrageous. The moment instantly reminded the internet of the “putting a medal on oneself” meme, which popularly featured Obama. Trump’s cabinet may praise him endlessly, but it’s never quite enough. So, naturally, he finds new ways to award himself medals and feel self-important enough. Because after he’s gone, no one will care.
Secretary Marco Rubio announced the renaming on X, saying, “President Trump will be remembered by history as the President of Peace. It’s time our State Department display that.” Meanwhile, the State Department’s official post called Trump “the greatest dealmaker in the nation’s history.” But common users called the addition of Trump’s name to a peace institute “an oxymoron.”
Sure, he boasts about “ending eight wars” all the time. But Trump’s name is far from being synonymous with peace. California Gov. Gavin Newsom responded to the State Department’s post by parodying the image of the USIP building they shared. Instead of Trump’s name, he slapped on “KFC,” and swapped “Institute of Peace” with “Institute of Veganism.” Honestly, there’s no better way to capture just how absurd this renaming really is than that.
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