Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, famous for its massive presidential sculptures, was the site of a visit by U.S. President Donald Trump on the eve of the 250th anniversary of American Independence Day.
President Trump visited the park, where the faces of four former U.S. presidents including George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are carved, to deliver an Independence Day address.
President Trump expressed immense pride, describing the United States as the oldest republic on Earth.
[Donald Trump / U.S. President: The victory of American independence is the result of the greatest people, culture, and ideas in history. We have created the greatest, greatest, greatest republic in history.]
He also referred to this year's 250th Independence Day as one of the most special days in world history.
However, his brief celebratory remarks were quickly followed by an anti-communist message.
He launched an offensive by labeling the rising hard-left faction within the Democratic Party, known as democratic socialism, as communism.
[Donald Trump / U.S. President: It has been a generation since we fought and won the Cold War against the threat of communism, but now the threat of communists is rising on our own soil. We will not let them win.]
He emphasized that the U.S. will never become a communist nation, adding that the only way to lose in the upcoming midterm elections is if the country allows itself to be defeated.
It appears to be an ideological offensive ahead of the midterm elections this November.
This marks President Trump's first visit to Mount Rushmore since the day before Independence Day in 2020, during his first term.
At that time, he faced criticism for holding a political event to rally his base despite the resurgence of COVID-19, and the situation remains challenging this year.
Entering the second year of his second term, his approval ratings continue to decline as the cost of living soars and energy prices skyrocket in the aftermath of the war in Iran.
Against this backdrop, President Trump sought to use this Independence Day as a stage to promote the achievements of his second administration.
While traveling to Mount Rushmore, he wrote on social media, citing the surge in the stock market and tax cut policies, "This is what winning looks like. A golden age of America is beginning."
Meanwhile, the issue of carving President Trump's face onto Mount Rushmore has resurfaced.
In a statement sent to the U.S. media, the White House said, "There is no better person to add to the iconic Mount Rushmore than the 45th and 47th President, Donald Trump," though it did not respond to whether there are any actual plans to add a sculpture.
President Trump previously remarked in 2020 that carving his face was a "good idea," but he has since denied reports that he desires it.
Reported by Yeo Hyeon-gyo | Video by Na Hong-hee | Graphics by Lee Jung-ju | Produced by SBS Digital News
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