Legislation to Carve Trump on Mount Rushmore Introduced
Just eight days into President Trump’s second term, Senator Anna Paulina Luna (R-FLA) has put forward a proposal to have Trump’s likeness carved into Mount Rushmore.
Her legislation has gained support from Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), who suggests that Trump should be added alongside the famous faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. They cite Trump’s quote about working to restore America’s greatness as a reason for this addition.
Trump, during his first term, expressed a desire to join the iconic monument, mentioning it to Christy Noem, who was then South Dakota’s governor. Noem, now serving as Trump’s Homeland Security Secretary, even presented him with a model of Mount Rushmore with his face on it.
It’s hard to speculate what Washington, Jefferson, or Lincoln might have thought about Trump’s potential membership in this group. But we can draw some insights from Theodore Roosevelt’s perspectives.
In 1910, Roosevelt delivered a notable address at the Sorbonne in Paris, focusing on citizenship and civic responsibility. His famous lines about “the man in the arena” highlight the importance of striving for a noble cause, no matter the cost.
Interestingly, recently Trump shared a post on his Instagram account that connected him to Roosevelt’s idea of the “Man in the Arena” while visiting the ruins of the Roman Colosseum.
Yet, it’s unlikely Trump or anyone in his administration has deeply engaged with Roosevelt’s original address. Had they done so, they might have reflected on the implications of wealth and status as discussed by Roosevelt.
Specifically, Roosevelt criticized those who don’t leverage their fortunes for the common good, referring to them as having “mean souls.” The way Trump appears to pursue personal interests—like the extravagant dinner he held for a cryptocurrency investor—might have been quite puzzling to Roosevelt.
In just a few months into his presidency, Trump organized an exclusive dinner that reportedly raised $148 million for a meme coin, which he used to bolster his financial resources. This sort of behavior would have likely astonished Roosevelt, who believed such actions drained meaningful service from public life.
Moreover, Roosevelt would likely have frowned upon Trump’s tendency to amplify divisions among Americans. In his speeches, he warned against those who exploit societal divisions for their gain—citing such individuals as greedy demagogues. Trump’s own rhetoric often seems to fall into this category.
An article in The Atlantic highlights Trump’s ongoing battle against the so-called “control class,” which he blames for prioritizing their interests over real Americans’. This sentiment illustrates Trump’s conflicted relationship with those in positions of authority.
Roosevelt would have also taken issue with Trump’s approach to minority groups. He believed that the true measure of a nation’s freedom was how it treated its minorities, advocating for complete liberty in religion and opinion—while respecting the rights of others.
Roosevelt’s stance on inclusivity is well-documented. For instance, he famously invited Booker T. Washington to dine with him at the White House—a gesture that stirred significant controversy at the time. In contrast, Trump’s associations, such as dining with white supremacist Nick Fuentes, mark a stark departure from Roosevelt’s principles.
Trump has made comments that have demeaned minority communities, which would likely have provoked outrage from Roosevelt, who emphasized equality and inclusion.
Finally, in his Sorbonne address, Roosevelt appealed to all citizens, reminding them that the true measure of a person’s character comes from their everyday actions and responses to crises.
Given all this, it seems clear that Roosevelt’s values stand in stark contrast to Trump’s actions and rhetoric.
Ultimately, the question isn’t just about whether Trump deserves a place on Mount Rushmore, but rather if he aligns with the higher standards Roosevelt exemplified.
