Trump says Democrats want to ‘blow up’ Mount Rushmore and take down Washington Monument
'Abraham Lincoln you can forget about it. They want to take down all statutes, all monuments in Washington'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump said Democrats want to blow up Mount Rushmore and take down the Washington Monument in his latest attack on cities removing historical statues and renaming landmarks.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, Mr Trump said his poll numbers have been going up "like a beautiful rocket" ever since his Independence Day speech at Mount Rushmore.
"If you would see how beautiful this is, it was like this perfect evening. The Sun was setting. The faces of these great, great majestic heroes of our country, right. Heroes of our country," Mr Trump said.
"And they want to blow up Mount Rushmore."
The president has escalated his rhetoric against the removal or renaming monuments and buildings after Washington DC mayor Muriel Bowser this week published a list of historical figures who should be erased or "contextualized" from public property.
The report recommended the renaming of dozens of schools, parks, and government buildings, including the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial.
As well as seven US president, figures such as Benjamin Franklin and Francis Scott Key were named in the report for their connections to slavery and oppression.
The White House seized on the recommendations, saying in a statement that the radically liberal mayor should be ashamed for suggesting revisions to monuments that the president believes should be preserved and passed on for generations.
Mr Trump continued the criticism on Thursday, joking that "Christopher Columbus is in big trouble".
"But how about this one, the Democrats yesterday came out with a plan, did you see it, now, they're the DC Democrats, they want to change the name of the Washington Monument, perhaps take it down," he said.
"Thomas Jefferson, pretty good Thomas Jefferson right, you can forget about ever hearing that name again. Abraham Lincoln you can forget about it. They want to take down all statutes all monuments in Washington."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments