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President Donald Trump has denied a report that his administration was considering putting his name on Ford's Theatre, the Washington, D.C., landmark where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865.
Trump addressed the report on Truth Social Wednesday, calling it "a ridiculous lie" and rejecting the idea that either he or the White House wanted to rename the historic theater.
"The story that the White House, or me, want to affix my name to Ford's Theatre, in Washington, D.C., where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, is a ridiculous lie. It is FAKE NEWS!" Trump wrote. "Who would possibly want a name on such a tragic place?"
He continued attacking the report in subsequent posts, accusing news organizations and Democrats of working together to spread false stories about him. On Thursday, Trump again referenced Ford's Theatre, writing, "That's where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. Who would want that?"
The report, published by MS NOW, cited current and former White House officials who said discussions had taken place about adding Trump's name to various government properties and landmarks. According to the report, some officials and allies were looking at locations that could potentially be renamed in Trump's honor.
The White House and the Interior Department, which oversees Ford's Theatre, both denied the report.
The controversy comes as Trump has faced a separate dispute over efforts to add his name to the Kennedy Center. A federal judge recently blocked an attempt to rename the institution after Trump.
Since returning to office, Trump's name and likeness have also appeared on or been proposed for a number of government-related properties and items. His name was added to the U.S. Institute of Peace, while his likeness has appeared on certain passports, coins and National Park Service passes. Other proposals involving government sites have also been reported.
