Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna has introduced legislation to add former President Donald Trump’s face to Mount Rushmore. The iconic national monument, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, currently features the 60-foot-tall faces of four U.S. presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
I've officially introduced legislation to put President Trump's face on Mount Rushmore.
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
Mount Rushmore was conceived in the 1920s by historian Doane Robinson, who envisioned a massive sculpture to attract tourism to South Dakota. Sculptor Gutzon Borglum was commissioned to bring the vision to life, and work began in 1927. The project took 14 years to complete, with the final touches added in 1941. The presidents chosen for the monument were selected for their significant contributions to the nation’s founding, expansion, preservation, and unification.
George Washington: The first president and a founding father, symbolizing the birth of the United States.
Thomas Jefferson: Author of the Declaration of Independence, representing the nation’s growth through the Louisiana Purchase.
Theodore Roosevelt: Known for his progressive policies and conservation efforts, embodying the nation’s development.
Abraham Lincoln: Preserved the Union during the Civil War and ended slavery, symbolizing unity and equality.
Representative Luna’s proposal argues that President Trump’s accomplishments, including economic policies, criminal justice reform, and foreign policy achievements, warrant his inclusion on Mount Rushmore. “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,” Luna stated in a tweet announcing the legislation.
Adding a new face to Mount Rushmore is no small feat. The original sculpting process involved extensive drilling and dynamiting, and the mountain’s geology would need to be carefully assessed to determine if it could support another carving. Additionally, the National Park Service, which oversees Mount Rushmore, would need to approve any modifications, a process that would likely involve environmental impact studies and public consultations.
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Historically, there have been discussions about adding other figures to Mount Rushmore, but none have come to fruition due to the logistical and financial challenges. The cost of such a project would be substantial, potentially running into hundreds of millions of dollars, and would require congressional approval for funding.
