PRESIDENT Donald Trump has suggested that adding him to Mount Rushmore “sounds like a good idea.”
But Trump later denied the suggestion, claiming it was “fake news” reported by CNN and The New York Times.
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Here is more on the iconic structure dedicated to America’s presidents.
What presidents are on Mount Rushmore and why
The presidents featured on the iconic monument are Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and George Washington.
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George Washington
Washington was the commanding general of the Revolutionary Army and America’s first president.
In 1787, he was elected as president of the group that wrote the US Constitution.
He is considered as one of the United States‘ “founding fathers.”
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Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson was America’s third president and a co-author of the Declaration of Independence.
He established the United States Military Academy during his tenure as president, in 1802.
He was also responsible for adding South Dakota as the 39th US state via the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
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Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln was known for ending the Civil War and initiating the end to American slavery with the Emancipation Proclamation.
The doctrine changed the legal status of all slaves in the US to “free.”
He also shaped the National Park Service by designating Mariposa Grove and Yosemite Valley as federally protected lands in 1864.
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Theodore Roosevelt
Roosevelt was known as America’s green-thumbed president because of his dedication to preserving national parks and their wildlife, particularly South Dakota’s badlands.
During his presidency, he set aside 200 million acres of national forests, reserves and wildlife refuges to promote conservation.
Roosevelt was known for his progressive ideology, he worked to regulate railroads and improve the labor force in America.
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What is Mount Rushmore?
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The popular tourist site honors the contributions of four US presidents
- Mount Rushmore is a federally protected monument featuring America’s most notable presidents for their work in developing the country
- The presidents in Mount Rushmore include: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln
- The monument is located in Keystone, South Dakota
- The construction began in 1927 and ended in 1941
What did Trump say about the sculpture?
Trump mentioned that it would “sound like a good idea” to add his face to Mount Rushmore based on what he has accomplished in his term.
He shut down rumors that the White House had contacted the governor of South Dakota to inquire about adding Trump’s face to the mountain, according to The New York Times.
The report also mentioned that Trump had received a miniature Mount Rushmore with his face on it as a gesture from the governor of South Dakota for hosting his Fourth of July celebration there.
Mount Rushmore National Monument chief of interpretation and education, Maureen McGee-Ballinger told the Black Hills Pioneer that there will be no additions made to the mountain.
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“It is one man’s artistic interpretation, and a tribute to that period of our nation’s history,” McGee-Ballinger said.
“The National Park Service takes the position that death stayed the hand of the artist and the work is complete in its present form.”
“Thus, to maintain both the integrity of the structure and the artist’s concept, there is no procedure for adding another likeness, the sculpture is complete.”
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Did the White House reach out to the South Dakota Governor about adding Trump?
According to the Times, the White House inquired about adding President Trump.
However, President Trump has denied the claims.
Where is Mount Rushmore?
Mount Rushmore is located in Keystone, South Dakota.
The area in which the presidents are is known as the Black Hills region.
South Dakota State Historian Doane Robinson came up with the idea of carving presidents’ faces into Mount Rushmore to honor their contributions to history and to promote tourism in the state.
Congress green lighted the project in 1925 and Robinson recruited sculptor Gutzon Borglum shortly after.
Mount Rushmore was completed and declared a national memorial in October 1941.
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When did Trump compare himself to Abraham Lincoln?
Trump recently compared himself to Abraham Lincoln as he made a comment about the work his administration has done for the Black community during a Fox News interview.
Trump said: “I think I’ve done more for the black community than any other president and let’s take a pass on Abraham Lincoln because he did good but although it’s always questionable, you know in other words the end result.”
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People slammed the President on social media for his remarks, as outrage grew in the Black community.
One user tweeted: “Uh. What part does Trump find questionable about Lincoln’s legacy? Is he referring to his…. assassination?”
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Another said: “Ok I’ll bite. @realDonaldTrump which of Lincoln’s “results”- which can be summarized as ending slavery by decree & defeating the treasonous wretches who made war on the United States to set up a separate country where black people would be enslaved FOREVER…were “questionable?”
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