The concept of President Donald Trump being enshrined in the Mount Rushmore memorial has been brought back into the spotlight. There are actual debates taking place over whether or not the face of Donald Trump might be engraved alongside the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Yes, you read that correctly. The question is, however, whether this is a real proposition or merely another political gimmick.
What was the origin of this unique concept?
This concept is not brand new. Considering that Trump is currently serving his first term in office, there has been discussion over the idea of adding his face on the famous monument in South Dakota.
Trump has even made jokes about it in the past, which has contributed to the proliferation of rumours that he considers it to be a respectable honour.
Trump stated in 2020 that it was “fake news” but that it “sounds like a good idea to me” in response to the purported report that South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem suggested adding Trump to the national monument of the United States of America.
This is Fake News by the failing @nytimes & bad ratings @CNN. Never suggested it although, based on all of the many things accomplished during the first 3 1/2 years, perhaps more than any other Presidency, sounds like a good idea to me! https://t.co/EHrA9yUsAw
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10, 2020
In recent times, Representative Anna Paulina Luna of Florida has brought the topic back into the spotlight by presenting a bill in the House of Representatives. “Remarkable accomplishments for our country and the success he will continue to deliver deserve the highest recognition and honour on this iconic national monument,” she said in a statement regarding X. “This monument is a national landmark.”
I’ve officially introduced legislation to put President Trump’s face on Mount Rushmore.
His remarkable accomplishments for our country and the success he will continue to deliver deserve the highest recognition and honor on this iconic national monument. Let’s get carving! pic.twitter.com/vfFuebuS7F
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) January 28, 2025
Doug Burgum, a fervent Trump loyalist and newly appointed Secretary of the Interior, will be in charge of implementation and may fight for whether or not the President’s face is added to Mount Rushmore. This is despite the fact that Congress ultimately has the authority to decide whether or not to add the President’s face to the monument. Under the supervision of the Secretary of the Interior, all national parks and memorials are under their purview.
However, despite the fact that he has not yet disclosed any official plans, it is clear that supporters of Trump and members of the MAGA party believe that this is a topic that should be discussed.
Why is this even a possibility?
To set the record straight, it is not an easy task to add a new face to the Mount Rushmore plaque. With the completion of the monument in 1941, the intention was to honour four of the most influential presidents in the history of the United States.
A number of significant obstacles, including the following, would be encountered in any attempt to modify it.
Mount Rushmore is a nationally protected landmark, which means that any modifications would require clearance from Congress in both the House and the Senate, and likely face significant scrutiny from the general public. This presents a number of legal and legislative challenges.
Because there is not enough stable rock remaining on the mountain to cut another face, experts have pointed out that there are structural limitations. This makes the logistics of such an addition practically hard to accomplish.
This plan would ignite debate and protests across the nation, making it difficult to sell even to his most devoted fans. Given Trump’s polarising status, this concept would be met with public backlash.
Can You Tell Me What Trump’s Supporters Are Saying?
The idea’s proponents contend that the duration of Trump’s presidency was significant enough to merit a position among the most influential presidents in the history of the United States.
As justifications for his inclusion, they point to the impact he has had on the economy, appointed judges, and foreign policy. The fact that they believe Trump deserves a position among the greatest Presidents in the history of the United States is evident from the fact that he has “made America great” and is “draining the swamp.”
Perspectives held by Democrats
Alternately, those who are opposed to Trump’s presidency, such as Democrats, would claim that it was far too contentious to be memorialised on Mount Rushmore.
Some people believe that he should not be regarded in the same category as Lincoln and Roosevelt because of his two impeachments, his management of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the disturbance that occurred in the Capitol on January 6th.
On top of that, a vast number of historians and preservationists would argue that any kind of modification to Mount Rushmore would be a mistake, regardless of who the new addition would be or how successful any contemporary president might be.
Political Strategy or Authentic Effort: Which Is It?
There is no denying the fact that Trump continues to be the most influential figure in the Republican Party. There is a possibility that putting him on Mount Rushmore may be a tactic to galvanise his supporters in advance of future elections.
Despite this, this continues to be more of a talking issue than a reality because there are no meaningful plans or legislative action in place. The bill proposed by Luna to commemorate Donald Trump by adding his likeness to Mount Rushmore has not yet been scheduled for any hearings by the committee before it is cleared for an actual vote in the house.
Expect to see stone carvers climbing Mount Rushmore in the near future, despite the fact that the proposal is worthy of an engaging argument.
A Few Closing Remarks
Is it possible that Donald Trump may be carved into the face of Mount Rushmore? In theory, that is feasible; however, in practice, the likelihood of that happening is extremely low.
It is just not possible to overcome the legal, logistical, and political obstacles.
The man who made a surprising comeback to the presidency after a traumatic last four years for him after losing the election in 2020 should be an example of someone who should never be said to have never.
If Republicans are trying to court favour with Trump at this point, it appears that this discussion is more about political theatre than it is about serious policy. When all else is considered, however, this is yet another illustration of how Trump continues to dominate the political debate, regardless of whether or not we agree with him.