Lisa Magnusson: Doesn't Trump understand people are laughing at him?

Donald Trump's efforts to rename geographical features and public buildings after himself are not enhancing America's image but are instead seen as undermining its history and institutions, according to commentator Lisa Magnusson.

Magnusson points to examples such as the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the "American Golf" and the attempt to rename the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to the "Donald Trump Center." More recently, Trump announced plans to rename Lake Ontario to "Lake America" following a trade dispute with Canada.

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These actions do not build America's greatness, of course. Quite the opposite, they uproot the history that makes the United States an institution, and throw it away.

The author argues that these actions are not demonstrations of American greatness but rather "power displays in all their patheticness." Magnusson questions Trump's self-awareness, suggesting he is unaware of how his actions are perceived by others, leading to ridicule and mockery.

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But above all, he is a clown. And I hope people hold on now, that they refuse to let him take the authority to once again reshape the world according to his own whims.

The piece criticizes the sycophantic behavior of some individuals around Trump, citing the creation of a new peace prize by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and awarding it to Trump. However, Magnusson concludes that Trump is primarily perceived as a "clown" and expresses hope that people will resist his attempts to reshape the world according to his whims.

The commentary, published in Dagens Nyheter's editorial pages, reflects a critical view of Trump's actions and their impact on both domestic and international perceptions of the United States.

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It's called Lake Ontario, for God's sake.