KEYSTONE, S.D. — One day before America’s 250th birthday, President Donald Trump spoke at Mount Rushmore and warned that the nation is under a threat, labeling the threat as “communists”.
Trump spoke for nearly 30 minutes, mostly sticking to the speech written for him, which emphasized American power and greatness. He then shifted to speak out about a “communist” movement that he said is surging.
“You can be loyal to Karl Marx or you can be loyal to America. You can be a communist or you can be a patriot. You cannot be both,” Trump said.
While Trump did not name who he believes are communists, in the last week, he has described the democratic socialists who won primary races in New York as leftists, who he says are set on destroying American traditions.
He called communism “a mortal threat to American liberty” and “the enemy of the Constitution,” “the enemy of July 4, 1776,” and “the enemy”.
“So on the eve of this 250th anniversary of American heritage, we resolve and swear for all to hear that the citizens of the United States of America will vanquish communism quickly,” Trump said.
Ahead of the speech, Trump posted a video on social media, depicting his face on Mount Rushmore. This came after the White House earlier suggested Trump could be an “addition” to the mountain where the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Theodore Roosevelt are engraved.
For a face to be added to Mount Rushmore, Congress would have to approve, but the reality is that the mountain cannot handle another face. There simply isn’t enough room.
“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.
Trump will return to Washington for the “Salute to America 250 Celebration & Fireworks” celebration at 7 p.m. in the nation’s capital.
