Trump pushes Pentagon rebrand, critics warn it will make US a ‘laughing stock’

Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War, reviving a title not used since 1947. Critics argue the move is unnecessary, costly, and risks damaging America’s global image.

Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has rolled out a series of executive orders. His latest directs Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to make the Pentagon’s new name permanent, either through legislation or additional executive action.

Hegseth, speaking on Fox News, backed the change, saying the Pentagon needs to restore a “warrior ethos.” He argued that names matter and that “Department of War” projects strength. “We won WWI and WWII not with the Department of Defense, but with a War Department,” he said.

The proposal has drawn sharp criticism online, with many Americans dismissing it as unnecessary branding.

“This is so stupid and it’s going to make us a laughing stock,” one user wrote on X.

Another said: “Renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War, because it is more intimidating to our adversaries, is stupid.”

Some questioned the financial cost: “Changing the name is a huge waste of money.”

The backlash has also drawn comparisons to Trump’s earlier attempt to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” a move that failed to gain international acceptance.

The United States did once operate under a Department of War. That name was in place until 1947, when it was officially changed to the Department of Defense in the aftermath of World War II. Trump argues that the nation’s greatest military victories came under the old name.

Whether the rebrand gains traction remains to be seen. Supporters say it signals strength, while opponents warn it risks isolating allies and embarrassing the country on the world stage.

For now, Trump’s push to bring back the Department of War has added yet another controversial chapter to his return to office.