Is There a Highway in Morocco Named After Donald Trump?

Recently, there has been a surge of rumors suggesting that the Moroccan government has made a particularly symbolic decision by naming a highway after former U.S. President Donald Trump. This highway, which stretches over 1,000 kilometers, serves as a crucial transportation route linking southern Morocco to Western Sahara. However, it traverses a region that remains a focal point of diplomatic tensions, as both Morocco and Sahrawi independence fighters claim sovereignty over this territory. On August 1, 2026, the official announcement confirmed that the new expressway connecting Tiznit to Dakhla would be officially named the "Donald J. Trump Highway." This decision was communicated through a letter from King Mohammed VI to Donald Trump, expressing gratitude for the President's "historic recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara" in 2020, a gesture that is intended to remain etched in the memories of Moroccans.

The Significance of Honoring Donald Trump

This naming is viewed as a powerful gesture aimed at solidifying the normalization of relations between Morocco and the United States. In December 2020, Trump had expressed support for a Moroccan autonomy plan for Western Sahara in exchange for Morocco's normalization of relations with Israel. The region itself is rich in natural resources, particularly phosphates, and is largely controlled by Morocco, yet it remains classified as a non-self-governing territory by the United Nations. The ongoing conflict between Rabat and the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, has persisted for over five decades, adding layers of complexity to this recent development.

In response to the announcement, Donald Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, expressing his gratitude to King Mohammed VI for the honor. He remarked, "Thank you to His Royal Highness Mohammed VI. What an immense honor! I look forward to one day traveling this great highway in its entirety!" Furthermore, in a congratulatory message to King Mohammed VI on the 27th anniversary of his ascension to the throne, Trump reiterated his unwavering support for Morocco’s stance on Western Sahara, asserting that the Moroccan proposal remains the only viable foundation for a fair and lasting solution to the conflict.

As reported by ladepeche.fr.