Podcast Summary: Letters from an American
Host: Heather Cox Richardson
Episode Date: February 16, 2026
Release Date: February 17, 2026
Episode Theme:
A historical and political examination of how President Donald J. Trump is leveraging his office for personal gain, contrasted against the examples set by previous U.S. presidents—particularly George Washington—regarding ethics, legacy, and the appropriate use of presidential power.
Main Theme Overview
Host Heather Cox Richardson explores the ongoing entanglement between President Trump’s private interests and the U.S. presidency, most recently evidenced by efforts to trademark his name for airports and merchandise, as well as broader efforts to put his name on public landmarks. She situates this phenomenon within the context of American history, drawing sharp contrasts to George Washington and other past leaders who eschewed personal profit and self-promotion in favor of serving the nation.
Key Discussion Points
1. Trump's Trademark Applications for Airports
- On February 13th and 14th, 2026, Trump’s camp filed trademarks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for “President Donald J. Trump International Airport” (00:01).
- Trademarks cover branding for airports and a range of merchandise (clothing, handbags, luggage, jewelry, watches, tie clips).
- Trademark lawyer Josh Gerben explains this would require airports to license and potentially pay to use the Trump name—“never in the history of the United States has a sitting president’s private company sought trademark rights before such a naming.” (00:15)
- Florida legislature is pushing to rename Palm Beach International Airport to “Donald J. Trump International Airport” with a multimillion-dollar budget request (00:54).
- The initiative echoes broader efforts during Trump’s term to secure public landmarks and infrastructure in his name.
2. Continued Financial Gains Linked to the Presidency
- Trump’s presidency is estimated to have enriched his family by at least $4 billion, through merchandise, political contributions, and lucrative cryptocurrency deals (01:24).
- Example: UAE sovereign wealth fund’s $500 million buy-in to Trump’s crypto company, delivering immediate and significant cash to Trump family entities and to Steve Witkoff’s family (recently named a Middle East envoy by Trump) (01:46).
- White House Spokesperson Anna Kelly claims, “President Trump only acts in the best interests of the American public, which is why they overwhelmingly reelected him…” and denies conflicts of interest due to his assets being in a trust managed by his children (02:17).
- Ongoing legal battles include Trump and his family’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS and Treasury over leaked tax info (02:44).
- “Trump has control over the IRS, and Treasury Secretary Scott Besant says he will write whatever check he is told to cut.” (02:59)
3. Historical Context: Presidential Ethics and Precedents
- Richardson connects Trump’s actions to the Founders’ concerns and George Washington’s explicit refusal to profit from the presidency:
- Quoting Washington: “There is scarcely any part of my conduct which may not hereafter be drawn into precedent.” (03:28)
- Washington ensured that he would only take his official salary, seeing public trust as essential for the republic’s survival.
- Washington’s focus: “Foundations of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality…” (04:08)
- The Constitution was designed to prevent any individual from accumulating too much power (04:44).
- Rise of political parties and institutional oversight (especially up to the 1970s) helped check presidential corruption and abuses of power.
- Example: Republican pressure that led to Nixon’s resignation during Watergate (05:05).
4. Shift Toward Partisanship and Personal Loyalty
- Washington’s warnings about “putting party over country” are revisited:
- “Such partisanship… would distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration… kindle the animosity of one part against another… open the door to foreign influence and corruption…” (06:12)
- Richardson argues this forecast has come true, as “today’s Republicans have replaced the prerogatives of Congress with loyalty to Trump.” (07:10)
- Notable for the degree to which Trump’s personal conduct and those of his allies are excused or ignored by party members.
5. Scandals and Controversy Among Trump Allies
- Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s controversial statement: “I’m not scared of a germ. I used to snort cocaine off toilet seats.” (07:28)
- OMB Director Russell Vogt’s alleged misuse of $15 million intended for foreign aid to fund his personal security (08:05).
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and aide Corey Lewandowski’s use of a $70 million luxury jet (08:23).
- Recurring references to Trump’s name in Epstein files: “the one place that could legitimately be rebranded with Trump’s name as the Trump Epstein Files.” (08:44)
6. The Drive for a Self-Serving Legacy
- Richardson examines Trump’s obsession with having his name attached to as many public entities as possible:
- US Institute of Peace, JFK Center, new battleships, and even a “President Donald J. Trump Ballroom” reportedly replacing the former East Wing of the White House (09:12).
- In a 2019 tour of Mount Vernon: “If [Washington] was smart, he would have put his name on it,” Trump is quoted. “You got to put your name on stuff or no one remembers you.” (09:45)
- Contrasted with the way past presidents (Washington, Lincoln, T. Roosevelt, FDR) earned reverence through service to the country, not self-promotion (10:10).
- “Americans remember and revere Washington because of his reluctance to promote himself, not in spite of it.” (10:20)
- Trumbull’s famous portrait of Washington voluntarily relinquishing power defines the standard of U.S. democracy—leadership in service to the people, not personal elevation (10:35).
7. Mount Rushmore Aspirations and Tax-Exempt Status
- Trump has made no secret of desiring his inclusion on Mount Rushmore, a monument featuring only presidents who advanced the nation’s interests (11:19).
- In September 2025, the IRS granted tax-exempt status to "the Donald Trump Mount Rushmore memorial legacy," allowing for tax-free donations to further his self-memorialization (12:27).
8. Closing Reflection
- In contrast to Trump’s legacy aspirations, Heather Cox Richardson emphasizes the historical and democratic values embodied by leaders who used presidential power for the good of the people, not personal gain.
- Richardson’s closing words: “Happy President’s Day 2026.” (13:35)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On unprecedented trademark filings:
“Never in the history of the United States has a sitting president’s private company sought trademark rights before such a naming.” — Josh Gerben (00:15) -
On Trump’s business profits:
“Experts so far estimate [the presidency] has enriched the Trump family by at least $4 billion.” (01:25) -
White House Defense of Trump’s Dealings:
“President Trump only acts in the best interests of the American public, which is why they overwhelmingly reelected him to this office… President Trump’s assets are in a trust managed by his children. There are no conflicts of interest.” — Anna Kelly, White House Spokesperson (02:17) -
On Washington’s legacy:
“There is scarcely any part of my conduct which may not hereafter be drawn into precedent.” — George Washington, 1790 (03:28) -
Washington’s Vision for the Republic:
“Foundations of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality…” (04:08) -
On partisanship’s dangers:
“Fierce partisanship would lead partisans to seek absolute power through an individual who turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation on the ruins of public liberty.” (06:45) -
Robert F. Kennedy, HHS Secretary, on COVID:
“I’m not scared of a germ. I used to snort cocaine off toilet seats.” (07:28) -
Trump’s approach to legacy:
“If he [Washington] was smart, he would have put his name on it...You got to put your name on stuff or no one remembers you.” — Donald Trump, April 2019, at Mount Vernon (09:45)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:01–00:54: Trademark filings and airport renaming efforts
- 01:24–02:44: Trump family financial enrichment; UAE deal
- 02:44–03:28: Lawsuits against IRS/Treasury
- 03:28–04:44: George Washington’s presidential ethic
- 05:05–06:12: Nixon and Watergate as historical precedent
- 06:12–07:10: Washington’s warning on partisanship
- 07:28–08:44: Scandals among Trump allies
- 08:44–10:10: Trump’s quest for self-serving legacy
- 10:10–11:19: Reverence for presidents who served the people
- 11:19–12:27: Mount Rushmore memorial, charity status
- 13:35: Closing wishes for President’s Day
Tone and Style
Heather Cox Richardson’s narration is incisive, fact-based, and historically oriented, blending present-day political analysis with rigorous attention to American governance traditions. Her tone is critical yet grounded, often referencing the words and actions of past presidents to illuminate the issues raised by current events.
For listeners seeking context on America’s evolving political norms, this episode offers a thorough critique of the commercialization of the presidency and what it means for national values—drawing pointed lessons from both the past and present.