Trump Is Putting His Face on EVERYTHING—And the GOP Is Cool With It

Summary

Podcast Summary: Bulwark Takes

Episode: Trump Is Putting His Face on EVERYTHING—And the GOP Is Cool With It
Host: The Bulwark (main commentator: Jared Pullen)
Date: May 4, 2026

---

Overview

This episode of Bulwark Takes focuses on former President Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to put his face and name on federal properties, official documents, and major American institutions as part of America’s upcoming 250th birthday celebrations. With sarcasm and sharp criticism characteristic of the Bulwark’s approach, host Jared Pullen explores both the scale of this personal branding campaign and the Republican Party’s response (or lack thereof). He also follows up with first-hand comments from Republican lawmakers, drawing out their reactions and highlighting partisan double standards when it comes to presidential self-promotion.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Trump’s Expanding Personal Branding (00:59 – 02:43)

• Jared Pullen opens with a summary of Trump’s history of branding, from “steaks, golf courses, vodka, ties, a fake university… bankrupt casinos and buildings he doesn't even own.”
• Pullen notes how this pattern continues as President:
  • Trump’s face is going on U.S. currency
  • The National Park Pass now bears Trump’s image
  • Banners of Trump hang from the DOJ and Department of Labor
  • The Kennedy Center is renamed the Trump Kennedy Center
  • The US Institute of Peace is now the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace
• Ben Parker at The Bulwark has reported the latest:
  • State Department will now include Trump’s “scowling face” on US passports, superimposed over the Declaration of Independence in gold, to celebrate America 250
• Commentary: “No sitting president in American history has done anything close to this… Republican congressmen would be outraged if a Democratic president did half of what Trump has done.” (Jared Pullen, 01:45)

Congressional Reactions: On-the-Ground Interviews (02:45 – 05:46)

General GOP Shrug — or Enthusiasm

• Several Republicans downplay or shrug off the move, comparing it to presidents having their names or faces on public works:
  • “Presidents put their names on a lot of things.” (Republican Congressman, 02:55)
  • When asked about Biden hypothetically doing the same, one responds, “Probably wouldn't feel anything. I mean, I got Joe Biden, I got Biden Expressway, I got Biden Road, I got Biden Lane, all over the Scranton area…” (03:03)
• Some are overtly enthusiastic:
  • “How about your badge?” (Republican Congressman, suggesting more places for Trump’s face, 03:29)
  • “I think it's pretty cool that he'll be on there. I can't wait to get one.” (Another Republican Congressman, 03:33)
• The use of Trump’s image on the America 250 passport is generally accepted:
  • “I think it's one of many ways to celebrate 250th birthday.” (Another Republican Congressman, 03:43)

Hypotheticals & Double Standards

• Interviewers repeatedly press congressmen on what they’d think if Biden did the same:
  • Evasiveness or indifference is common
  • “What if this. What if, you know, what if? There's a lot of what ifs out there, isn't there?” (Republican Congressman, 04:49)
• Some pivot to political attacks:
  • “What Trump didn't do was weaponize the DOJ... The Biden family is a bunch of crooks.” (Republican Congressman, 05:01)

Public Disengagement

• “I don’t think America really cares. I think we're so passive… we have all kinds of things to deal with. That’s minutiae.” (Political Commentator, 04:13)

Commentary & Irony: Bulwark’s Perspective (07:01 – 08:10)

• Pullen summarizes GOP reactions:
  • Rep. Luna wants Trump on Mount Rushmore
  • Congressman Muzer is “perfectly fine” with Trump’s face on the DOJ
  • GOP lawmakers would be outraged if Biden did the same, but not with Trump
• Strong use of irony when highlighting recent DOJ actions:
  • “Just a few days before that interview, Trump's DOJ indicted former FBI Director James Comey. The charge? Posting a photo of seashells on a beach... But sure, Congressman, Joe Biden was the one weaponizing the Justice Department, not Donald Trump.” (Jared Pullen, 07:01)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Branding Overload Expose:
  “Trump has spent his entire adult life slapping his name on everything that he can ... So it really shouldn't shock anyone that now, as President, Trump is putting his face and name on everything that he can.”
  — Jared Pullen (00:59)

• GOP Evasiveness:
  “What if this. What if, you know, what if? There's a lot of what ifs out there, isn't there?”
  — Republican Congressman (04:49)

• GOP Enthusiasm:
  “I think it's pretty cool that he'll be on there. I can't wait to get one.”
  — Republican Congressman (03:33)

• On Public Passivity:
  “I don’t think America really cares... we have all kinds of things to deal with. That’s minutiae.”
  — Political Commentator (04:13)

• Highlighting the Irony:
  “Just a few days before that interview, Trump's DOJ indicted former FBI Director James Comey... But sure, Congressman, Joe Biden was the one weaponizing the Justice Department, not Donald Trump.”
  — Jared Pullen (07:01)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Trump’s Branding Campaign Recap: 00:59 – 02:43
• Hill Interviews with Republicans: 02:45 – 05:46
• Highlighting the Double Standard & DOJ Irony: 07:01 – 08:10

---

Tone & Style Notes

The episode employs the Bulwark’s signature mix of sharp analysis, biting irony, and a sense of exasperation at political double standards. It includes street-level reporting, sound bites from politicians, and pointed editorial comment, making the critique both engaging and accessible.

---

For more details and commentary, follow the work at thebulwark.com.

Transcript

[Bretzky]

What's up baby? It's Bretzky. And I'm here to tell you that spinquest.com is giving out free sweeps coins. All you gotta do is purchase a ten dollar coin pack and guess what? They're gonna give you the coins from a thirty dollar coin pack that lets you play all your favorite games like Blackjack, Wanted, Dead or Wild. And we're talking real cash prizes, baby. Spinquest.com Spin Quest is a free to

[SpinQuest Announcer]

play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Energy Trust of Oregon Announcer]

At Energy Trust of Oregon we know it isn't easy, the tremendous costs of maintaining a home, living in a house with drafty windows, poorly insulated spaces, or equipment that's running well past its prime. But we also know how to help you upgrade your systems, insulate your spaces and replace what is old with new energy efficient solutions. Find cash [e-mail] Energy Trust of Oregon More power to you.

[Jared Pullen]

Hi, it's Jared Pullen with the Bulwark. Donald Trump has spent his entire adult life slapping his name on everything that he can. Steaks, golf courses, vodka ties, a fake university that got sued into oblivion, bankrupt casinos and buildings he doesn't even own. So it really shouldn't shock anyone that now, as President Trump is putting his face and name on everything that he can. His face is going on US Currency. The President, the Park Service put his face on the National Park Pass. Giant banners of Donald Trump are hanging from the DOJ and the Department of Labor. The Kennedy center is now the Trump Kennedy center. And the US Institute of Peace is now the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace. Last week, my colleague Ben Parker at the Bulwark broke the latest story about what Trump's face will be on next. The State Department is putting Trump's scowling face on the US Passport superimposed over the Declaration of Independence signature in gold, just the way he likes it, as a way to celebrate America 250. No sitting president in American history has done anything close to this. And frankly, Republican congressmen would be outraged if a Democratic president did half of what Trump has done. So I, I decided to go to Capitol Hill and ask Republican members of Congress. Yeah, the same Republicans who haven't told this man no about anything in a decade if they support the State Department putting Trump's face on US Passports, if they think it's a good way to celebrate America 250 and where they want to see Trump's face next, this is what they had to say.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

I mean, it's a good photo.

[Interviewer]

You think It's a good photo.

[Jared Pullen]

Good photo. Are you gonna get one?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

I mean, I have my passport. Maybe. I don't know.

[Jared Pullen]

I haven't fully dec. What do you

[Interviewer]

think he should put his face on next?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Mount Rushmore?

[Republican Congressman]

Presidents put their names on a lot of things.

[Interviewer]

So how would you feel if Joe Biden did that when he was president?

[Republican Congressman]

Probably wouldn't feel anything. I mean, I got Joe Biden, I got Biden Expressway, I got Biden Road, I got Biden Lane, all over the Scranton area. He hasn't lived there since, like, 1946.

[Interviewer]

What are your thoughts on Donald Trump's face being on the America 250 passports?

[Another Republican Congressman]

I haven't seen it, but, you know, we've got American presidents on our money and, you know, why not?

[Interviewer]

What do you think he should put his face on next?

[Another Republican Congressman]

How about your badge?

[Interviewer]

What do you think he should put his face on next?

[Another Republican Congressman]

Oh, I don't know, but I don't know that he's done it. I think they've made the decision to do it, but I think it's pretty cool that he'll be on there. I can't wait to get one.

[Interviewer]

You think it's a good way to celebrate America's 250th birthday?

[Another Republican Congressman]

I think it's one of many ways to celebrate 250th birthday. We all ought to be excited about this incredible time. You guys know where he is?

[Jared Pullen]

Yes.

[Interviewer]

How would you feel if Joe Biden put his face on the passport?

[Republican Congressman]

I think the President decided to do that to, you know, give it a certain Commander in Chief, President, United States flair to it.

[Interviewer]

Do you think the Trump printing his face on the passport is a good way to celebrate America 250?

[Political Commentator]

I don't think America really cares. I think we're so passive. We have so many big issues. We're almost $40 trillion in debt. We have wars around the world. We have instability. We have all kinds of things to deal with. That's minutiae. I don't think that the average American, some of the things we get distracted with are kind of nothing.

[Another Republican Congressman]

I didn't know they were doing that.

[Interviewer]

You think it's a good way to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America?

[Republican Congressman]

Yeah.

[Interviewer]

What if Joe Biden put his face on the side of the doj?

[Republican Congressman]

Who you with?

[Jared Pullen]

I'm with the Bulwark.

[Republican Congressman]

What if. What if this. What if, you know, what if? There's a lot of what ifs out there, isn't there?

[Another Republican Congressman]

What if?

[Interviewer]

Well, Trump did put his face on the side of the doj.

[Another Republican Congressman]

Yeah. Huh.

[Republican Congressman]

President of the United States. The agencies report to him. And let me tell you something. What Trump didn't do was weaponize the doj. Trump didn't raid Joe Biden's house. Trump didn't use DOJ attorneys to move up to New York and file false claims against a sitting president for one purpose and one purpose only so he wouldn't run for office. Okay. The Biden family. The Biden family is a is a bunch of crooks. And Hunter Biden led the effort, stealing money with no business. What do you think of that?

[Aura Frames Advertiser]

This ad is brought to you by Aura Frames. Aura Frames is a great upgrade from your typical Mother's Day flowers. Trust me, I know this. I got an aura frame from my mother in law last Mother Day. She loved it. That's because flowers, they're nice, but they only last a few days. The perfect gift is one that lasts a lifetime. And that gift is Aura Frames. Aura Frames are a great way to share all your favorite memories. From birthdays to vacations to kids sporting events and everything in between. There's free unlimited storage that allows you to add as many photos and videos as you want. My favorite part of OR Frames is how easy it is to preload photos before it ships. You can keep adding photos and videos from anywhere anytime. It's really awesome and it's perfect for Mother's Day. A gift box is included. Every frame comes packaged in a premium gift box with no price tag. Name number one by wirecutter. You can save on gifts for your mom or your mother in law by visiting or frames.com for a limited time. Listeners can get $25 off their best selling Carver matte frame with code Bulwark takes. That's a U R A frames.com promo code bulwark Takes. Support the show by mentioning us at checkout. Terms and conditions do apply.

[Jared Pullen]

So Rep. Luna wants Trump's face on Mount Rushmore. Most of the congressmen I talked to would love to get a Trump passport, and Congressman Muzer is perfectly fine with Trump plastering his face on the doj. But he would have had real issues with former President Biden doing the same because, as he said, Biden weaponized the Justice Department. Unlike Donald Trump. Mind you, just a few days before that interview, Trump's DOJ indicted former FBI Director James Comey. The charge? Posting a photo of seashells on a beach, Comey wrote in the post. Cool shell formation. The shells happen to spell out 8,647 two felony counts all over an Instagram post of Seashells. But sure, Congressman Joe Biden was the one weaponizing the Justice Department, not Donald Trump. If you like this video, be sure to subscribe, leave a like and a comment, and continue following all the great work that we're doing over@the bulwark.com

[SpinQuest Announcer]

forget everything you had planned for this weekend because you are sitting on your couch and winning from the comfort of your own home. I'm here with spinquest where you can play hundreds of slot games, all the table games you love, and you could even win real cash prizes. New users $30 coin packs are on sale for [e-mail] SpinQuest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details

[Energy Trust of Oregon Announcer]

at Energy Trust of Oregon we know it isn't easy the tremendous costs of maintaining a home, living in a house with drafty windows, poorly insulated spaces, or equipment that's running well past its prime. But we also know how to help you upgrade your systems, insulate your spaces and replace what is old with new energy efficient solutions. Find cash [e-mail] Energy Trust of Oregon More power to you.