Donald Trump has claimed on Truth Social that Morocco named part of the Tiznit–Dakhla highway after him, but Moroccan authorities have not confirmed the dedication. Analysts connect the alleged tribute to the Trump administration’s 2020 recognition of Morocco’s claim to Western Sahara, which strengthened Rabat’s diplomatic position. Morocco is investing heavily in infrastructure — including a new 115,000-seat stadium — as it prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The naming remains unverified pending an official statement from Rabat.
Trump Claims Morocco Named Major Tiznit–Dakhla Highway After Him — Rabat Has Not Confirmed
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Former President Donald Trump has claimed that Morocco honored him by attaching his name to a section of the Tiznit–Dakhla highway, a major route linking Morocco to the disputed territory of Western Sahara. Moroccan authorities have not publicly confirmed the alleged dedication.
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Trump posted the claim on Truth Social, thanking King Mohammed VI and saying he hoped to travel on the "Great Highway one day." Images and posts circulating online link his name to the recently completed highway section, but no official Moroccan statement has verified the dedication.
Annabelle Gordon – CNP / MEGA
Why Analysts Say the Tribute Would Make Sense
Analysts told Al Jazeera that such a gesture would be consistent with the unusually close ties Morocco developed with Trump during both of his administrations. Observers particularly link the reported tribute to the Trump administration’s landmark December 2020 decision to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara — a move that significantly bolstered Rabat’s international position on the long-running territorial dispute.
Chris Kleponis – Pool via CNP / MEGA
"Honoring Trump makes perfect sense," said Intissar Fakir of the Middle East Institute, noting that Washington's 2020 backing was the strongest Morocco had received on Western Sahara.
Infrastructure, Diplomacy And The 2030 World Cup
Beyond diplomacy, experts say the timing may also reflect Morocco’s broader infrastructure push. The kingdom is investing heavily in highways, rail links and stadiums as it prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal. Officials are building a new 115,000-seat Hassan II Grand Stadium near Casablanca, targeted for completion by the end of 2027.
ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
Morocco has been raising its international profile through trade, diplomacy and sport. The European Union remains its largest trading partner, with goods trade topping about €62 billion (roughly $70 billion) in 2025. Since 2020, more than 20 countries have opened consulates in parts of Western Sahara, reflecting growing diplomatic engagement with the territory.
Military And Political Ties
The two countries maintain strong military and economic ties: Morocco is a significant buyer of U.S. defense equipment and hosts African Lion, the largest annual U.S. military exercise on the African continent. King Mohammed VI publicly congratulated Trump after his 2024 election victory, and analysts say the 2020 Western Sahara decision is often cited as evidence of the close relationship.
Public Honors And Legal Controversies
If confirmed, a highway naming would add to a pattern of public honors linking Trump's name to prominent sites. Such tributes have sometimes prompted legal or political disputes: earlier this year a federal judge ordered the removal of Trump’s name from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., after a court found that only Congress could change the name of the congressionally established memorial.
At present, the Moroccan government has not issued a formal announcement. The claim remains unverified, and observers caution that social media circulation of images does not substitute for an official confirmation from Rabat.
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