President Donald Trump is visiting Mount Rushmore, a national monument in South Dakota, where he has previously expressed interest in adding his likeness. However, efforts to do so have stalled due to structural limitations and opposition from various groups.
Background
Trump has mentioned the idea of adding his face to the monument on several occasions, including in a meeting with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. However, the monument’s sculptor, Gutzon Borglum, noted in 1936 that the stone had “serious” limitations, making it unlikely that a fifth face could be added.
Despite this, Trump ally Rep. Anna Paulina Luna has introduced legislation to arrange the carving, which she says would “reflect his towering legacy.” The bill is currently stalled, and it is unclear whether Trump’s visit will prompt a renewed push for its passage.
Trump’s Previous Visit
Trump’s visit to Mount Rushmore comes six years after his previous visit in 2020, when he delivered a speech to a crowd of thousands. The speech was marked by controversy, as Trump railed against cancel culture and the removal of statues from Confederate monuments.
Trump’s message of preserving American history and values has been a hallmark of his presidency, and he has continued to push for the creation of a “Garden of American Heroes,” a sculpture garden honoring figures from the past.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
