A Guardian editorial published this week delivered a sharp warning about what it called the “proliferation” of Donald Trump’s image and name across Washington and beyond. Drawing comparisons to the ubiquitous portraits of authoritarian leaders — from Mussolini’s Italy to Kim Jong-un’s North Korea — the editorial argued that the United States is “overturning well-advised democratic taboos on glorifying sitting leaders.” It noted that even George Washington, the nation’s first president, refused to appear on currency, believing it smacked of monarchy.
The timing was pointed. Just days earlier, Union Pacific unveiled a commemorative locomotive numbered “4547” — a nod to Trump being both the 45th and 47th president — as part of celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary. CEO Jim Vena said he was “proud to honor President Donald J. Trump” with the machine. The gesture quickly drew criticism, with observers questioning the use of a national milestone to glorify a sitting leader rather than the broader democratic project the anniversary ostensibly celebrates.
Meanwhile, in Islamabad, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif offered a notably warm tribute at a US 250th anniversary event, hailing the “true and special relationship” between Pakistan and Washington. He credited Trump’s “timely and most decisive intervention” for brokering last year’s ceasefire between Pakistan and India following tensions over the Pahalgam incident — a framing that elevated Trump’s personal role in international diplomacy to near-heroic status.
