Trump Celebrates Independence at Mount Rushmore

On July 3, 2026, President Donald Trump delivered a 30-minute speech at Mount Rushmore, just under the faces of historical figures George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. This event marked the eve of America’s 250th Independence Day celebration.

In a unique twist, impersonators of the four presidents gave speeches featuring well-known American quotes. They were later joined by the U.S. Air Force Academy Band, which played popular songs, including “Sweet Child of Mine” by Guns N’ Roses and “Life Is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts.

Upon arriving from Air Force One, Trump addressed the crowd, stating, “Tomorrow, we celebrate 250 years of glorious independence and 250 years of American majestic freedom. There’s nothing quite like it.”

He reflected on the significance of the United States as the oldest great republic, highlighting that the Constitution is the oldest codified national constitution still in effect.

“250 years ago tomorrow, the words of our Declaration of Independence sent a tremor through everyone who came after it. It sparked a revolution that will never end,” Trump proclaimed. He expressed gratitude for those responsible for America’s milestone, particularly the four figures represented at the monument.

Trump acknowledged the contributions of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt, referring to them as the architects of American freedom. He emphasized, “They are the ones who proclaimed our freedom, won our freedom, saved our freedom, secured our freedom,” adding that they represent ideals “made in America.”

He congratulated citizens on their American identity, stressing the importance of culture in preserving freedom. “Never forget that without American culture there is no American freedom,” he stated, noting that many countries may have legal frameworks but lack the freedom that Americans enjoy.

Trump reminded the audience that English is America’s foundational language. “You don’t have to be born here, but you have to love what we’ve built,” he emphasized.

He also warned of a “new assault” on American values, attributing it to a resurgence of Marxist ideology. “A generation after we fought and won the Cold War against the threat of communism, we are now seeing a resurgence of the threat of communism in our country,” he stated, clarifying that “communism is a deadly threat to American freedom.”

Trump described communism as “the opposite of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” arguing that it contradicts the ideals that America represents. “You can be loyal to Karl Marx or you can be loyal to America. You can be a communist or a patriot. You can’t be both,” he asserted.

As he called on Americans to defeat communism, Trump praised the achievements of the nation, listing various innovations and cultural contributions. He mentioned notable advances like railroads, electricity, and modern technology, quipping, “They haven’t given me a gold medal” in reference to his own accomplishments.

Interestingly, he did not touch on his past ambition shared with former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about adding his likeness to the monument, a topic that was discussed previously. Senator Mike Rounds later mentioned the idea of including Trump’s or Ronald Reagan’s faces at the site, although concerns arose about the suitability of the rock.

The event concluded with a fireworks display, allowing some attendees to actively participate in the celebration.