‘He is not a monarch’: Donald Trump gets advice from Barbra Streisand — and suddenly, the stakes feel impossibly high

Barbra Streisand recently took to Blue Sky social to voice her concerns, remarking that President Trump “continues to try to slap his name on everything,” from the Kennedy Center to a dollar bill, adding that “No living President has ever done this. He is not a monarch.” Her comment was made in support of the recent “No Kings” protest, which she wasn’t able to attend because of an injury.

Streisand’s comment is also poignant because the Treasury Department recently announced a significant change to U.S. currency, confirming that Trump’s signature will appear on future $100 bills, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. Per Time Magazine, it is the first time in American history that a sitting president’s signature will be featured on paper currency. 

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that under Trump’s leadership, the country is “on a path toward unprecedented economic growth, lasting dollar dominance, and fiscal strength and stability.” He believes there is “no more powerful way to recognize the historic achievements of our great country and President Donald J. Trump than U.S dollar bills bearing his name.”

Brace yourself, the list is long

This isn’t an isolated incident, though. Trump has a long-standing history of branding. In his time at the Oval Office, his name and image have found their way onto various federal properties and programs, drawing both attention and, often, controversy.

For instance, the U.S. Mint published draft designs in December for a proposed $1 coin featuring Trump’s face. Earlier this month, the Commission of Fine Arts approved a design for a commemorative 24-karat gold coin showing a stern-faced Trump leaning over a desk: “There is no profile more emblematic for the front of such coins than that of our serving President, Donald J. Trump.”

Beyond currency, large banners depicting his face were displayed on the Department of Justice building, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Agriculture. Then, in what has been particularly contentious, Trump’s name has been etched into the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, with the venue and its website now referring to it as “The Trump Kennedy Center.” 

The State Department justified the renaming by saying it would “reflect the greatest dealmaker in our nation’s history.” Other programs and initiatives have also received the presidential branding. We now have TrumpRx.gov for discounted prescription drugs. He also announced plans for “the largest, deadliest and most versatile and best-looking warship anywhere on the world’s oceans,” aka, “Trump class” battleships. 

The Department of the Interior also announced that the 2026 “America the Beautiful” national park pass would feature Trump’s face alongside George Washington, instead of the traditional nature imagery. Let’s not even get into “Trump Accounts” and the “Trump gold card.” 

In the face of that much narcissism, Streisand’s public statement aligns with the broader sentiment of the “No Kings” rally, which she encouraged people to support. The rally’s organizers state that “in America, we have No Kings,” and that “power belongs to the people – not to wannabe kings or their billionaire cronies.”