Keystone, South Dakota — The prospect of Donald Trump being added to the iconic Mount Rushmore is fading largely due to concerns about the stability and integrity of the sculpture. The granite faces of America’s founding leaders—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln—stand as monumental tributes, but experts caution that any tampering could jeopardize their structural safety.
Trump has openly expressed his aspiration to be memorialized alongside these historic figures, a desire rooted in his first term during a conversation with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, who later gifted him a model featuring his likeness. However, the notion of affixing another face to the monument remains contentious, according to both advocates and historians.
Robin Borglum Kennedy, granddaughter of Gutzon Borglum, the original sculptor, argues against altering the sacred monument. “It was conceived primarily as a reflection of American ideals, not as a tribute to any single individual,” she stated. This perspective resonates with many who see the site as a historical memorial rather than a playground for contemporary political figures.
Geomechanical experts are vocal about the dangers of attempting to carve Trump’s likeness into the mountain. Paul Nelson, a geomechanical engineer involved with Mount Rushmore’s monitoring systems, indicated that any new carvings might activate existing fractures in the rock, potentially leading to catastrophic failures. “Cutting into the stone might remove crucial support,” he warned, stressing that even a small error could compromise the integrity of the entire sculpture.
The geology of the mountain complicates any efforts to add a new face. Although there appears to be sufficient space, the rock itself is marred by fragile formations including pockets of pegmatite and schist, which are not viable for carving. Such issues previously forced Gutzon Borglum to revise his plans multiple times as he navigated the mountain’s inherent instability.
Former Mount Rushmore National Memorial superintendent Dan Wenk articulated a common sentiment among historians and artists alike: adding another face is akin to altering classic masterpieces. “You wouldn’t consider adding to da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper’,” he noted. While Wenk acknowledges that discussions about such changes are ongoing, he remains steadfast that the structural and artistic integrity of the current monument must be preserved.
The idea gained traction once again when MAGA Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna introduced legislation to formalize Trump’s proposed addition. This proposal is currently under review by the House Committee on Natural Resources. Yet, the National Park Service has firmly rejected any plans to expand the sculpture, clarifying that all potential locations have undergone thorough assessments, revealing no viable options for new carvings.
As long-standing debates continue among politicians, historians, and the public, the chances of Donald Trump’s face joining those of the revered presidents on Mount Rushmore remain slim, overshadowed by the reality of the mountain’s delicate geology and the monument’s enduring legacy.