President Donald Trump said he had “nothing to do with” the decision to rename the U.S. Institute of Peace after him, joking that he initially thought he was being offered money rather than having his name placed on the building. His remarks came as the administration formally rebranded the congressionally created think tank the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, marking the sixth government-related venue to bear his name during his second term.
Trump: This building… Marco named it after me. I had nothing to do with it. I had no idea. They said there's a surprise coming. I thought they would give me a lot of money, maybe some cash, can always use extra cash. pic.twitter.com/HxshGcROw1
— Acyn (@Acyn) February 19, 2026
Speaking at a Board of Peace gathering attended by foreign leaders and dignitaries, Trump described his surprise upon seeing his name affixed to the headquarters near the State Department. “This building was built for peace and no one knew what to name it and Marco named it after me,” Trump said. “I had nothing to do with it I swear. He said there’s a surprise coming. I thought they were going to give me a lot of money or something. I could always use some extra cash.” He added that he later looked up at the façade and saw “Donald J Trump” displayed, insisting that the decision was made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance.
The State Department announced in December that the U.S. Institute of Peace would be renamed to reflect what it described as “the greatest dealmaker in our nation’s history.” The new name was installed on the headquarters building, even as control of the institute remains the subject of an ongoing federal court battle.
This morning, the State Department renamed the former Institute of Peace to reflect the greatest dealmaker in our nation's history.
— Department of State (@StateDept) December 3, 2025
Welcome to the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace. The best is yet to come. pic.twitter.com/v7DgkoZphn
The U.S. Institute of Peace was established by Congress in the 1980s and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1985 as an independent, nonprofit organization funded by Congress. Its mission has been to promote conflict resolution and prevent and end wars, operating outside traditional executive branch channels such as the State Department.
The renaming comes as Trump has repeatedly argued that his administration played a central role in resolving conflicts around the world and has publicly lobbied for a Nobel Peace Prize. During his remarks, he described brokering agreements between longtime adversaries in the Oval Office, recounting how leaders who had been “killing each other for 32 years” ultimately “hugged, they signed, and we had peace.” The institute’s headquarters is expected to serve as the backdrop for the signing of a peace agreement between Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, with senior officials from several African and Middle Eastern nations in attendance.
The decision to place Trump’s name on the institute adds to a series of government-related rebrandings during his second term. In December, the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts voted to rename the venue the Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts after Trump took control of its board appointments. Legal scholars and Democratic lawmakers have questioned whether such a change can be made without congressional action, as the center’s name is codified in federal law.
The administration has also announced plans for a new line of “Trump-class” Navy battleships, unveiled redesigned national park passes featuring Trump’s image, and introduced federally backed savings vehicles known as “Trump Accounts.” In Washington, banners bearing the president’s image have been displayed on several federal buildings, drawing criticism from opponents who argue the displays are inappropriate uses of public resources.
The renaming of the institute has become a focal point in a broader debate over executive authority and the independence of congressionally chartered entities. The administration maintains the institute falls under executive branch control, while former board members argue it was created to function independently of the White House.
For now, the building near the State Department bears Trump’s name as litigation continues. Trump, for his part, told attendees at the peace gathering that the honor was unexpected. “No one believes it and that’s OK,” he said. “But I had nothing to do with that.”
