RismadarVoice Reporters, July 4, 2026
United States President, Donald Trump has warned that America faces what he described as a growing “communist threat,” urging citizens to defend the country’s founding ideals during a speech commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Addressing thousands of people at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota on Friday night, Trump combined patriotic themes with a renewed attack on what he called forces seeking to undermine American democracy and constitutional values.
Speaking beneath the iconic monument featuring Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt, Trump said Americans must choose between patriotism and communism.
“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,” the president declared.
Although he did not mention specific individuals, Trump has recently criticised democratic socialist politicians who recorded victories in New York primary elections, accusing them of promoting policies that threaten America’s traditions.
He described communism as a direct threat to the nation’s freedom and constitutional order, calling on Americans to reject ideologies he believes conflict with the country’s founding principles.
“As we celebrate 250 years of our nation, we must remain committed to preserving the values upon which America was built,” Trump said.
The event was briefly disrupted by rain and hail before the skies cleared ahead of the president’s arrival. Air Force One made a dramatic flyover behind the Mount Rushmore monument shortly before Trump took the stage.
During his address, the president paid tribute to the four former presidents immortalised on the granite monument, describing them as central figures in shaping the United States.
Following the speech, spectators watched a fireworks display over Mount Rushmore as part of the anniversary celebrations.
The president did not refer to past discussions about adding his own likeness to the historic monument.
Over the years, some of Trump’s supporters have suggested that he deserves a place alongside the four presidents carved into Mount Rushmore. However, experts have consistently stated that the mountain lacks sufficient suitable rock to accommodate another sculpture.
The monument’s original sculptor, Gutzon Borglum, had also concluded during construction that geological limitations made the addition of a fifth face impractical.
South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden, speaking ahead of the celebration, remarked that if additional space existed, former President Ronald Reagan or Trump could be considered worthy candidates.
However, Senator Mike Rounds maintained that preserving the monument in its current form remained the preferred option.
Among those attending the celebration was Oregon resident Mike Pack, who praised Trump’s leadership and said he believed the president deserved recognition for his contributions.
Others, including historical interpreters portraying George Washington and Abraham Lincoln at the event, argued that the monument should remain unchanged, saying its existing design already reflects the nation’s history.
Trump’s Mount Rushmore address formed part of nationwide activities marking the United States’ 250th Independence anniversary and reinforced themes that have become central to his second-term political message, including national unity, patriotism and opposition to left-wing ideologies.
