US President Donald Trump is set to travel to Mount Rushmore next week to participate in a major Independence Day celebration as the United States marks the 250th anniversary of its founding.
The July 3 event will take place beneath the iconic granite carvings of former presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt at Mount Rushmore.
Organizers said the celebration will include fireworks, military band performances, aerial flyovers, tributes to members of the armed forces, and an address by Trump on the eve of the July 4 holiday.
The fireworks display will be the first held at the monument since 2020, when Trump attended a similar celebration during his first term in office.
Larry Rhoden described the event as a historic opportunity to celebrate the nation’s heritage.
“Together, we will throw the biggest birthday party ever for our nation and celebrate America’s legacy of freedom, liberty, and justice for all,”
Trump’s appearance at Mount Rushmore is expected to be one of the most prominent events in the nationwide commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary. The president has increasingly shaped the anniversary celebrations around themes of patriotism, national pride, and public spectacle.
In recent months, Trump has launched a series of high-profile events tied to the anniversary, including a rally-style kickoff for the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, a mixed martial arts event at the White House, and plans for an expanded July 4 celebration in Washington.
The Mount Rushmore visit also highlights Trump’s long-standing interest in presidential symbolism and historical legacy. The Republican president has frequently spoken about monuments and the role of presidents in shaping American history.
Last year, a Republican ally introduced legislation proposing that Trump’s likeness be added to Mount Rushmore, an idea the president has previously suggested would be worth considering.
His administration has also pursued efforts to place his name on prominent public institutions, including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. A federal judge later ruled that move unlawful.
Despite its symbolic significance, Mount Rushmore remains a site of ongoing controversy. Indigenous groups have long opposed some activities at the monument, arguing that the Black Hills are sacred land. The National Park Service has also previously raised concerns about fireworks displays because of wildfire risks, environmental impacts, and tribal objections.
Nevertheless, organizers say preparations are underway for what is expected to be one of the largest and most closely watched events of the nation’s semiquincentennial celebrations.
