Daijiworld Media Network – Washington
Washington, Jul 4: US President Donald Trump returned to Mount Rushmore on the eve of America's 250th Independence Day celebrations, reviving speculation over the long-discussed idea of adding his likeness to the iconic national monument.
Although Trump has never publicly and explicitly called for his face to be carved alongside George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, the White House indicated that such an addition would be welcomed.
"There would be no better addition to the iconic Mount Rushmore than the 45th and 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump," White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said in a statement.
Despite the remarks, Trump made no reference to the proposal during his address at the memorial.
"Their faces are engraved on these bluffs, not only because of what they did, but to remind us forever who we are," Trump said. "These heroes exemplify what is timeless, enduring, eternal about the American character."
Speculation over Trump's inclusion on Mount Rushmore has persisted since his first term. In recent weeks, he reposted digitally altered images on Truth Social depicting his face alongside the four presidents carved into the monument.
Trump has also previously hinted at the idea. In 2020, responding to reports that White House officials had explored the possibility, he wrote on social media that while he had "never suggested it," his accomplishments "perhaps more than any other Presidency" made it "sound like a good idea."
In 2019, when asked whether he wanted his face on Mount Rushmore, Trump declined to give a direct answer, saying any affirmative response would attract negative publicity.
Several Republican allies have continued to promote the proposal. In January 2025, Representative Anna Paulina Luna introduced legislation directing the Interior Department to begin the process of adding Trump to the monument. Representative Andy Ogles also urged Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to explore the possibility, arguing that bureaucratic resistance should not stand in the way.
However, officials responsible for the memorial have consistently maintained that expanding the sculpture is not feasible. Mount Rushmore officials have previously stated there is no remaining suitable rock surface for additional carvings, explaining that what appears to be available space is either structurally unsuitable or an optical illusion beyond the existing sculpture.
Trump last visited Mount Rushmore in July 2020, when he delivered a campaign-style speech centred on law and order during his re-election bid. His latest appearance formed part of the White House's events marking the 250th anniversary of the United States' founding.