Trump's latest renaming obsession confuses critics and MAGA alike: 'Lost his fastball'

National PoliticsPresident Donald Trump boards Marine One on the Ellipse near the White House, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)AP Photo/Alex BrandonBy Howard Koplowitz | hkoplowitz@al.comPresident Donald Trump confused both his critics and MAGA when he suggested coming up with a new term for “artificial intelligence” and putting the rebranding up for an online vote.“Many people think that the words ‘Artificial Intelligence’ are inaccurate, and very ineloquent, relative to AI, or Artificial Intelligence. A far more elegant and accurate description of this new phenomena would be Superior Intelligence (SI) or, Extreme Intelligence (EI) or, Supreme Intelligence (SI). This is a Poll, and I would appreciate everybody voting! Which is the best name for this ever growing ‘Revolution?’” read a message on Trump’s account on X on Saturday.On Sunday, the president removed “supreme intelligence” from the options while insulting the U.S. Supreme Court.Trump expressed disappointment last week with the court, including the three justices he nominated -- Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett -- after it rejected his mail ballot restrictions ahead of the midterm elections.“‘Supreme Intelligence,’ probably because of its relationship to the Supreme Court, is losing badly to both ‘Superior’ and ‘Extreme Intelligence.’ Therefore, we are going to take ‘Supreme Intelligence’ OUT, deleting it as a qualifier, and let you vote for the Final Two: Superior Intelligence, or Extreme Intelligence. A fresh Vote begins now!” Trump posted. At 52%, “superior intelligence” won out in Trump’s online vote, defeating “extreme intelligence” which secured 48% of the vote on X.Trump’s push to rename “artificial intelligence” isn’t the first time the president has been obsessed with rebranding in his second term. Earlier, he renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and Lake Ontario to Lake America.The latest decision raised eyebrows among both the president’s critics and supporters.MAGA influencer Matt Walsh questioned Trump’s priorities.“‘Artificial’ is already the correct word. ‘Extreme intelligence’ sounds r------- and ‘superior intelligence’ is anti-human and dystopian. But more importantly, why the hell is the president focused on this?” Walsh posted.“What the f--- are we even doing?” added Trump critic John Collins.“Can somebody please translate the incoherent ramblings of this old man?” said progressive political consultant Lauren Windsor.“This is pretty dumb,” said biologist and author Jean-François Gariépy.Some also said Trump missed a glaring option.“‘American Intelligence’ was right there,” said another Trump critic. “He’s lost his fastball.”Trump’s new plan for D.C. arch faces immediate backlash: ‘Stupid, dangerous and unworkable’Wallace Tunnel, Trump Bridge? Naming fight continues around I-10 projectDonald Trump gets message from iconic singer: ‘Try for just a little while to be quiet’Trump says these 2 ‘crummy papers’ may be next targets of White House ban‘This is fascism’: Trump sparks outrage after banning 3 ‘fake news’ outlets from White HouseHoward Koplowitz is AL.com's Breaking & Trending Reporter for afternoons and nights. He has been with AL.com since 2015 and has served in a variety of roles, ranging from coverage of Donald Trump's first...