President Trump Expresses Wish To Have His Likeness Carved On Mount Rushmore.
Washington, USA – President Donald Trump has reignited speculation about adding his likeness to Mount Rushmore, the iconic South Dakota monument featuring the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The President’s long-standing fascination with joining this revered lineup has gained renewed attention since his return to the White House in January 2025, with supporters and officials taking his comments seriously. However, significant logistical and philosophical barriers stand in the way, as outlined by the National Park Service and experts.
Trump’s affinity for Mount Rushmore is well-documented. During his first term, he reportedly told then-South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem that it was his “dream” to have his face carved into the granite alongside America’s most celebrated presidents. Noem, now Trump’s Secretary of Homeland Security, gifted him a four-foot replica of the monument featuring his likeness in 2020, costing $1,100 and funded by private donations. The idea resurfaced in January 2025 when Florida Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna introduced a bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to arrange for Trump’s carving on the memorial, describing his “remarkable accomplishments” as deserving of such recognition.
The National Park Service, which oversees Mount Rushmore, has firmly stated that adding another face is not feasible. The carved portion of the mountain, completed in 1941 under sculptor Gutzon Borglum, is considered a finished work of art. More critically, the surrounding rock is unsuitable for additional carving due to its structural instability. Maureen McGee-Ballinger, a Mount Rushmore spokesperson, explained in 2018 that “there is no more carvable space up on the sculpture,” dismissing apparent open areas as optical illusions or geologically unviable. The rock’s cracks and fissures require regular maintenance to preserve the existing faces, with Washington’s nose once at risk of collapse without diligent repairs.
Despite these limitations, the proposal has sparked fervent debate. Supporters, including Luna and conservative media figures like Fox News’ Kayleigh McEnany, argue that Trump’s leadership warrants a place on the monument, with some suggesting it would be “epic” for America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, in a March 2025 interview with Lara Trump, claimed there was “room” for Trump’s likeness, though he offered no elaboration when pressed by the press. The comment drew scepticism, given the National Park Service’s consistent stance.
Critics, however, see the push as emblematic of a cult-like devotion within parts of the Republican Party. Posts on X reflect divided sentiment, with some users decrying the idea as “sycophantic” and others noting Trump’s low ranking among historians, who place him among the worst presidents, while the current Mount Rushmore figures are consistently ranked in the top five. The monument’s location on sacred Lakota Sioux land, seized in violation of the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty, adds further complexity, with Native American groups calling the site a desecration and opposing any alterations.
Logistically, even if political will existed, the project would be daunting. Carving Mount Rushmore took 14 years, from 1927 to 1941, involving 400 workers and costing $1 million (equivalent to $18 million today). Modern estimates suggest adding a new face could cost $64 million and require advanced technology, yet the rock’s fragility remains a dealbreaker. Proposals to honour Trump in other ways, such as renaming Dulles Airport or placing his likeness on currency, have also emerged but face similar resistance due to legal and practical constraints.
As the debate continues, the National Park Service remains steadfast, viewing Mount Rushmore as a complete monument symbolising America’s founding, expansion, preservation, and unification. While Trump’s supporters champion his inclusion, the geological reality and historical sensitivities ensure that any addition remains, for now, an unfeasible dream.
