The Power of Names: A Historical Perspective

“Names are powerful,” the late magician Eugene Burger observed, a sentiment that underscores why mentalists often begin by memorizing audience members’ names. Throughout history, names have been wielded as tools of power and control. The Confederate names affixed to forts during the early 20th century weren’t simply labels; they were deliberate attempts to legitimize the “Lost Cause,” imbuing a rebellion rooted in the abhorrent practice of chattel slavery with a veneer of nobility—a strategy that, to a degree, succeeded. As Ulysses S. Grant poignantly noted, slavery was “the worst cause for which men ever fought.”

However, names can also serve as tributes, albeit sometimes paradoxically. The naming of the Jeep Cherokee in 1973, despite objections from some Native American groups, exemplifies this. The intention was to evoke qualities of ruggedness and pride, even gifting the first vehicle to a leader of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Similarly, the U.S. Army’s Apache helicopter and the Navy’s Tomahawk missile draw upon the names of formidable Native American warriors, including William Tecumseh Sherman, who bore the name of a Shawnee leader.

The crucial distinction lies in intent. While the Jeep Cherokee and military vessel names aimed to honor, the renamings orchestrated by Trump and Hegseth feel fundamentally different. They echo the recent reappropriation of terms like “swagger” and the staged “cosplay” imagery of officials like Kristi Noem and Kash Patel as documented by The Atlantic. They are, at their core, childish gestures.

The Psychology of Impulsivity

A recurring theme within the Trump administration, starting with its leader, is a pattern of behavior reminiscent of adolescence. These are, in many cases, “broken children” who haven’t fully matured, lacking a grasp of appropriate adult conduct. Adolescents often struggle with a sense of futurity, a key reason for impulsive and ill-considered actions. The understanding that today’s decisions have consequences, that control over the future is limited, and that our impact on the world is finite—these are hallmarks of adult thought.

The ancient Romans employed a slave to whisper “sic transit gloria mundi” (“thus passes the glory of the world”) during triumphal parades, a stark reminder of mortality and the impermanence of power. A modern equivalent, articulated by Johnny Cash, captures the same sentiment:

That old wheel

Is gonna roll around once more

When it does

It will even up our score.

Adolescents frequently indulge in fantastical thinking, attempting to manipulate a world they subconsciously recognize is beyond their control. This desire for control fuels a belief in the power of names—the notion that simply renaming an agency can fundamentally alter its function is a childish delusion. Acknowledging the inherent messiness of reality, its resistance to easy solutions, is a sign of maturity.

Names can be weapons, used to inflict emotional harm. A bully’s taunts may provide temporary gratification, but that advantage is fleeting. Just as a student excelling in academics can overcome ridicule, or a judo practitioner can defend against physical aggression, the effects of such cruelty are ultimately transient. Trump’s penchant for derogatory nicknames serves not only to diminish opponents but also to satisfy a desire to wound.

For some, renaming is a display of perceived cleverness, a way to assert superiority. Hegseth’s restoration of Confederate names, achieved through a semantic loophole—reinterpreting the names to refer to different individuals—reeks of adolescent smugness. One can almost visualize the smirks and nudges accompanying this maneuver. He sought the Confederate names and, for the moment, obtained them through a back door.

While malevolent children can be disruptive and even frightening, they are ultimately pitiable. Those who fail to mature will likely spend their lives inflicting pain on others—and themselves—never experiencing the responsibilities, remorse, or joys of adulthood. They will be haunted by a constant fear of exposure, knowing their fabricated realities will eventually crumble. Their brokenness will remain unaddressed, their anxieties unassuaged. And tragically, they may rise to positions of power, potentially even becoming leaders of nations.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the significance of renaming the Kennedy Center to the Trump-Kennedy Center?

  The renaming is largely symbolic, representing Donald Trump’s desire for public recognition and a continuation of his efforts to imprint his name on institutions and landmarks.

• Why are the base renamings by Pete Hegseth considered controversial?

  The renamings are seen as an attempt to rehabilitate the legacy of Confederate figures, despite their association with slavery and treason, and were achieved through a questionable interpretation of historical records.

• How do these renaming efforts relate to the concept of historical revisionism?

  These actions represent a form of historical revisionism, attempting to alter the narrative surrounding controversial figures and events to align with a particular political agenda.

• What is the psychological basis for this behavior within the Trump administration?

  Analysts suggest that the actions stem from a pattern of behavior reminiscent of adolescence, characterized by impulsivity, a lack of foresight, and a desire for control.

• Will these renamings likely be permanent?

  Historical precedent suggests that these changes are unlikely to endure, and a future administration will likely reverse them, restoring the original names.