In a definitive rebuttal to what has been described as a political 'fever dream', a coalition of top geologists and US National Park Service officials has declared the expansion of Mount Rushmore to include Donald Trump a geological and practical impossibility.
The controversy stems from alleged remarks made by the former president, who reportedly expressed a desire to see his likeness carved alongside the existing monuments to Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln during a 2020 meeting with South Dakota's governor.
The Unyielding Stone: A Geologist's Verdict
Experts have poured cold water on the notion, presenting a sobering analysis of the mountain's physical constraints. "The rock surrounding the existing sculptures is simply not suitable for additional carving," stated one leading geologist. "It is heavily fractured and would be prone to catastrophic erosion and collapse. It's not a matter of will; it's a matter of physics."
This assessment confirms the long-held position of the National Park Service, which has consistently stated that the monument was deemed complete in 1941 and that the surrounding terrain is unfit for further work.
More Than Just Rock: Legal and Cultural Hurdles
The obstacles are not solely geological. The project would face an insurmountable wall of legal and cultural challenges.
- Protected Land: The entire memorial is a protected National Park, making any new construction or major alteration subject to stringent federal environmental and historical preservation laws.
- Sacred Ground: The Black Hills region is considered sacred by the Lakota Sioux and other Native American tribes. The proposed expansion would further desecrate land that was illegally seized from indigenous peoples.
- The Crazy Horse Memorial: The ongoing construction of the nearby Crazy Horse Memorial, a powerful symbol of Native American culture, stands in stark contrast to the idea, highlighting the complex history of the region.
A Political Pipe Dream
Despite the unequivocal expert opinions, the idea has been periodically revived, often framed as a symbolic gesture of Trump's legacy. However, authorities have made it clear that no formal proposal, study, or request has ever been submitted to the National Park Service to evaluate such a project.
This expert intervention serves as a stark reality check, grounding a persistent political fantasy in the unchangeable realities of nature, law, and respect for cultural heritage.
