There has been a resurgence of the concept that President Donald Trump needs to be carved into Mount Rushmore. It is true that you have read that correctly; there are debates taking place regarding whether or not the face of Donald Trump may be etched alongside the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. But is this a plan that should be taken seriously, or is it but another political stunt?
So, where did this concept originate from?
This is not a novelty at all. There have been discussions about the idea of placing President Trump’s visage to the famous monument in South Dakota ever since he was elected to his first term.
Even Trump himself has made jokes about it in the past, which has contributed to the widespread belief that he considers it to be a respectable honour.
In the year 2020, in reaction to the rumoured news that South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem had suggested adding Trump to the national monument, Trump stated that the rumour was “fake news” but that it “sounds like a good idea to me.”
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
The conversation has been brought back to life by Representative Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, who just introduced a measure in the House of Representatives. She stated in a statement that “remarkable accomplishments for our country and the success he will continue to deliver deserve the highest recognition and honour on this iconic national monument.” This statement was made in reference to X.
I've officially introduced legislation to put President Trump's face on Mount Rushmore.
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) January 28, 2025
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
Doug Burgum, a fervent Trump loyalist and newly appointed Secretary of the Interior, will be in charge of execution and may push for it if it is required to do so by Republicans in Congress. Although Congress ultimately has the ability to determine whether or not to put the President’s face to Mount Rushmore, Burgum will be in charge of implementing the decision. The responsibility for all national parks and memorials falls under the purview of the Secretary of the Interior.
Therefore, despite the fact that he has not released any official plans as of yet, it is clear that supporters of Trump and some members of the MAGA party believe that this is a discussion that should be had.
Is it even possible to do this?
Let’s get one thing straight: putting a fresh face on Mount Rushmore is much more difficult than it sounds. Four of the most influential presidents in the history of the United States of America were honoured by the monument, which was finished in 1941.
Every attempt to alter it would be met with a number of significant obstacles, including the following:
Mount Rushmore is a nationally protected site, which means that any modifications would require clearance from Congress in both the House and the Senate, and they would most likely be subject to severe public scrutiny. This presents a number of legal and legislative challenges.
Structural Limitations: It has been pointed out by specialists that there is not enough stable rock remaining on the mountain to carve another face, which makes the logistics of such an addition extremely hard to accomplish.
This idea will stir debate and protests across the nation, making it difficult to sell even to his most devoted supporters. Given Trump’s polarising status, this proposal would be met with public backlash.
Who Is Supporting Trump, and What Are They Saying?
Proponents of the theory contend that the presidency of Donald Trump was significant enough to merit a spot among the most influential leaders in the history of the United States.
His influence on the economy, judicial nominations, and foreign policy are some of the reasons that they cite for his placement in the list. Clearly, they believe that the fact that Trump has “made America great” and is “draining the swamp” is sufficient to earn him a place among the most successful presidents in the history of the United States administration.
Viewpoint of the Democrats
On the other hand, detractors, such as Democrats, would claim that the presidency of Donald Trump carried a great deal of controversy and hence should not be memorialised on Mount Rushmore.
The two impeachments, the way he handled the COVID-19 pandemic, and the riot that occurred in the Capitol on January 6th are among of the reasons that they cite as reasons why he should not be placed beside Lincoln and Roosevelt.
Furthermore, a large number of historians and preservationists would argue that any modification to Mount Rushmore would be a mistake, regardless of who the new addition might be or how wonderful any recent president might be.
Do you have a genuine effort or a political strategy?
It is common knowledge that Donald Trump continues to be the most powerful figure in the Republican Party. The placement of him on Mount Rushmore might be a strategy for him to mobilise his supporters in front of upcoming elections.
On the other hand, this continues to be more of a talking topic than a reality because there are no meaningful plans or legislative action available. It has not yet been decided whether or not the committee will hold a hearing on Luna’s measure to put Trump to Mount Rushmore. This is necessary before the bill can be approved for a vote in the complete house.
It is hardly likely that stone carvers will scale Mount Rushmore in the near future, despite the fact that the concept is something that could spark a fascinating debate.
Remarks to Conclude
Would it be possible to include Donald Trump on the Mount Rushmore memorial? In a theoretical sense, it is feasible; nevertheless, in practice, it is extremely improbable.
There are simply too many obstacles to overcome in terms of politics, logistics, and the law.
However, it is important to remember that the man who made a remarkable comeback to the presidency after a traumatic four years following his loss in the election in 2020 should never be completely disregarded.
On the part of Republicans who are attempting to win favour with Trump at this point, this discussion appears to be more about political theatre than it is about serious policy initiatives. On the other hand, if nothing else, this is yet another illustration of how Trump continues to dominate the political debate, regardless of whether or not we agree with him.
