Trump kicks off America 250 celebrations with Mount Rushmore speech
President Donald Trump kicked off a weekend of celebrations for America's 250th birthday with a speech at Mount Rushmore on Friday.
Ahead of the trip, the White House suggested Trump could be an "addition" to the mountain where the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln are etched.
"There would be no better addition to the iconic Mount Rushmore than the 45th and 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump," White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in a statement to ABC News.
Trump has previously mused about putting his likeness on the granite peak. He called it a "good idea" on social media in 2020. But so far in his second term, there's been no significant movement toward making that a reality.
The White House did not respond to questions about whether there are actual plans to add the president's likeness to Mount Rushmore and, if so, in what capacity.
Trump flew to Keystone, South Dakota, on the newly retrofitted Air Force One 747, a gift from the Qatari royal family. The president used the jet for the first time earlier this week for a trip to North Dakota for the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
Upon his arrival, Air Force One conducted a flyover over Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota ahead of the president's remarks.
The Mount Rushmore festivities also include performances by military bands and tributes to the Armed Services. It will culminate in a large fireworks display, the first fireworks show at the national memorial in years, according to the National Park Service.
