President Trump wondered why George Washington didn’t name his properties after himself, saying during a trip to the first president’s home, Mount Vernon, that it’s the only way to be remembered.
Trump took a 45-minute tour of the Virginia landmark last year along with French President Emmanuel Macron, who was in the capital for a state visit, and the pair’s wives. Mount Vernon President and CEO Doug Bradburn served as the guide for the tour, which he told colleagues was “truly bizarre,” according to Politico.
Trump asked Bradburn if Washington had been “really rich,” and Bradburn replied he might have been the wealthiest man in America thanks to his extensive real estate holdings. Trump couldn’t understand why Washington hadn’t named Mount Vernon or any other property after himself.
“If he was smart, he would’ve put his name on it,” Trump said, according to three sources privy to the visit. “You’ve got to put your name on stuff or no one remembers you.”
Bradburn reminded Trump that Washington was able to get the nation’s capital and an entire state named after him. Trump chuckled and responded, “Good point!”
“Mount Vernon has a policy of not providing details about high profile visits outside of the official statements provided by the organization,” a spokesperson for the organization running the landmark told Politico.
