Doug Burgum says there's room for Trump on Mount Rushmore
- Lara Trump interviewed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum about adding her father-in-law's face to Mount Rushmore.
- Burgum confirmed there is room for Trump's visage alongside other presidents.
- The movement to add Trump has garnered significant support and raised controversy around the monument's historical context.
In a recent interview, Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law of former President Donald Trump, sought clarification from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum regarding the rumors about her father-in-law's potential addition to Mount Rushmore. During the segment on her show aired on Fox News, Trump highlighted that many people are curious about whether President Trump will ever join the etchings of former presidents at the South Dakota monument. Burgum responded affirmatively, suggesting there's indeed space available for Trump’s likeness among George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. This conversation about Trump's likeness on the national memorial has been a recurring topic, especially during his second presidency. The MAGA campaign advocating for this has intensified, with various Republican figures, including South Dakota's former governor and current Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, actively promoting the idea. In fact, Noem presented Trump with a bust featuring his face alongside the four presidents during a controversial Independence Day event in 2020, symbolizing this ongoing admiration and ambition among his supporters. In January 2025, Florida Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna introduced legislation aimed at facilitating the carving of President Trump’s face into the famous granite monument. She argued that the accomplishments of Trump warrant significant recognition and honor, especially as the U.S. nears its 250th anniversary in 2026. The notion of celebrating Trump at such a significant historical site has been widely discussed on various platforms, including Fox News, with supporters asserting that this would be an epic tribute as part of the commemoration of American history. This discussion has not been without controversy. Critics, particularly from Indigenous groups, have voiced their opposition, highlighting the monument's contentious history regarding its placement on land sacred to the Sioux tribe. Activism around this issue has stressed that Mount Rushmore symbolizes a history of colonization and violence against Indigenous peoples, calling the monument a representation of white supremacy. The debate continues as both supporters and detractors express strong emotions regarding Trump's legacy and the monument's future significance.