The National Park Service has firmly stated that it will not be moving forward with any plans to add President Donald Trump’s face to Mount Rushmore. This notion had previously been suggested by Trump himself, who expressed interest in being memorialized alongside iconic figures like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
According to the Park Service, evaluations of the site have confirmed that there are no suitable locations remaining on the monument’s rockface for additional carvings. In a statement shared with the New York Times, the agency emphasized the instability of the existing rock. Paul Nelson, a geomechanical engineer involved in monitoring the monument, supported this view. He indicated that the presence of fractures in the granite makes it “extremely difficult, if not impossible” to safely add another face. Nelson warned that attempting to carve a new likeness could disturb these fractures, potentially compromising the integrity of the entire monument.
This perspective highlights the challenge of maintaining such historical artifacts while ensuring their preservation for future generations. Despite the dismissal of Trump’s idea, the focus remains on the importance of protecting the cultural and geological significance of Mount Rushmore. The determination to safeguard the monument reinforces a commitment to honoring American history and its iconic symbols.