A Western Australian politician, Ben Dawkins, has officially changed his name to Austin “Aussie” Letts Trump. Dawkins, now listed as “Aussie Trump” on the state parliament’s website, made the change as a protest against what he calls the “tyranny and systematic corruption” of the WA Labor government. He believes the name will help him gain political traction ahead of the state election on March 8.
Dawkins was previously a member of the Labor Party but was suspended in 2023 after being charged with breaching a family violence restraining order. After leaving Labor, he joined Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party but was not selected as a candidate. Now serving as an independent MP for the South West Region, he says his new name aligns him with the president and could improve his electoral prospects.
The name change has drawn criticism from political leaders. WA Premier Roger Cook dismissed it as “simply attention-seeking stuff,” questioning how much lower Dawkins could go. WA Liberal Party leader Libby Mettam also criticized the move, calling it “very juvenile” and suggesting it was a desperate attempt to remain relevant in politics.
Despite the backlash, Trump has remained firm in his decision. He stated that even if he does not win the election, he has no intention of reversing the name change. According to him, it represents his values and stance against what he sees as a failing government.
The development has sparked debate about the role of branding in politics and how far politicians will go to attract public attention. While some see it as a publicity stunt, others argue that it reflects growing discontent with the political establishment. Regardless of opinions, “Aussie Trump” has certainly made headlines.
