Poland’s president has a cunning plan to get a US military base. He says they’ll call it ‘Fort Trump’

After months of pushing for a permanent US military presence in Poland as a bulwark against Russia, the Polish president offered President Donald Trump a new incentive tailored to his real estate sensibilities: naming rights.

“I would very much like for us to set up a permanent base in Poland, which we would call Fort Trump,” Polish President Andrzej Duda said Tuesday in a joint press conference at the White House. “I firmly believe that this is possible. I am convinced that such a decision lies in the Polish interest and in the interest of the United States.”

Standing nearby, Trump smirked and raised his right eyebrow before pursing his lips as he appeared to consider the possibility of an American military base in Poland emblazoned with his name.

Though the Polish president’s naming proposal appeared to be in jest, Trump said Poland was willing to make a “very major” contribution if the United States were to establish a permanent military presence in the nation.

“If they’re willing to do that, it’s something we will certainly talk about,” Trump said.

In May 2018, the Polish government offered to spend up to US$2 billion to establish a permanent US military presence in Poland.