WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is set to visit Mount Rushmore, the iconic granite monument in South Dakota that features the faces of four former U.S. presidents, this Friday. This trip is part of the festivities for the 250th anniversary of the United States.
His visit will precede a larger celebration in Washington on Saturday night, where he is expected to speak to attendees on the National Mall followed by a grand fireworks display.
On Wednesday, he dedicated the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Museum in Medora, North Dakota, and expressed his admiration for Roosevelt, one of America’s most impactful leaders.
At Mount Rushmore, a site Trump has visited previously in 2020, he plans to deliver a key address and watch the fireworks. However, there are worries about fire risks due to drought in the area.
Previously, Trump had mused about adding his own likeness to the mountain, alongside those of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
“Sounds like a good idea to me,” he had tweeted in 2020 during his first term.
That said, there hasn’t been any real progress toward that idea in his second term.
Instead, he appears to be focused on establishing his legacy through significant projects designed to leave a lasting impression in the capital.
These endeavors include constructing a new ballroom next to the White House, planning a monumental arch, and renovating several famous monuments and public spaces in Washington.
He is anticipated to be accompanied by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, a former governor of North Dakota.
To reach his destination, Trump will fly for the second time on a Qatari jumbo jet given to him for use as Air Force One during his remaining time in office.
The celebrations for the 250th anniversary are taking place against a backdrop of increasing concern among Republican lawmakers regarding rising gas prices, potentially linked to Trump’s ongoing tensions over Iran. They worry that this could affect the party’s prospects in the upcoming midterm elections.
