President Donald Trump visited Medora, North Dakota, on Wednesday to dedicate a $450 million library and museum honoring Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president, in a lavish and bizarre event that marked the 250th anniversary of American independence. The spectacle featured a ride on a red, white, and blue train dubbed the 'Freedom250 train,' a hologram conversation with Roosevelt, and a speech that drew parallels between the two leaders but notably omitted Roosevelt's environmental legacy.
Spectacle in the Badlands
The event unfolded against the dramatic landscape of North Dakota's badlands, where bison, wild horses, and bighorn sheep typically roam. Trump arrived on a refurbished Boeing 747, gifted by Qatar, which will serve as Air Force One with a red, white, dark blue, and gold paint scheme selected by the president. He then emulated Roosevelt's whistle-stop tours by taking a short train journey on a locomotive painted in patriotic colors, adorned with bunting and the words 'Freedom,' 'Liberty,' and '1776-2026.' The train halted at a railroad crossing as a crowd of supporters chanted 'Go, Trump!' and 'USA! USA!' after waiting three hours in the sun.
Trump disembarked at the same spot where a 24-year-old Roosevelt had arrived over 140 years ago. His motorcade to the library was accompanied by horseback riders dressed as Roosevelt's 'Rough Riders,' the military unit he led during the Spanish-American War. The riders left a trail of horse manure on the road.
Library Tour and Hologram Chat
Trump toured the 96,000-square-foot library, which overlooks Theodore Roosevelt National Park. He visited a room named after Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, a former North Dakota governor, and his wife Kathryn. During the tour, Trump conversed with a digitally animated version of Roosevelt, asking about the Panama Canal and criticizing Democrats for giving it away. 'I had a conversation with Theodore Roosevelt: “What did you think about the Panama canal? Is that your greatest achievement? How do you feel about the fact that the Democrats gave the Panama canal away for one dollar to Panama?”' Trump recalled.
Later, at the Burning Hills Amphitheatre, Trump delivered a meandering, hour-long address despite a faulty teleprompter, never taking a sip of water as the audience perspired in the heat. He praised Roosevelt as 'a great he-man' and said, 'I’m honoring Theodore Roosevelt – that is, the man I have long admired. I don’t admire too many people, I have to tell you – not a lot of people out there.'
Trump announced that the National Endowment for the Humanities will award the library $750,000 to support its first year. He also previewed his own presidential library: 'We’re going to build a museum in Miami – they gave me a lot of ideas.'
Comparisons and Criticisms
Trump drew comparisons between himself and Roosevelt, who remains the youngest person to become president at age 42, while Trump, now 80, is the oldest ever elected. Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize; Trump has not. Roosevelt preached 'the strenuous life,' while Trump is known for a diet of McDonald’s and Diet Cokes. Roosevelt once said, 'Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president.'
Brendan Boyle, a congressman from Pennsylvania, criticized Trump, saying, 'Donald Trump doesn’t have one 10th of 1% of Teddy Roosevelt’s charisma or courage. On environmental issues they were absolutely night and day. All Trump cares about is grifting and naming things for himself. Trump is such a small figure compared to a great and extraordinary figure like Teddy Roosevelt.'
Supporters' Views
Supporters at the event drew parallels between the two leaders. Kathleen Katz, 60, an inventory control specialist, said, 'I would say they’re both very similar: the love for our country and for Americans in general.' Chris Pawlik, 35, an army veteran, noted, 'Trump is similar to Teddy Roosevelt. It’s like the big stick policy is how he sees himself as well.'
The event was officially non-partisan but featured familiar faces from Trump rallies, including MyPillow founder Mike Lindell, and a soundtrack including Lee Greenwood’s 'God Bless the USA' and the Village People’s 'YMCA.'
Upcoming Events
Trump’s cavalcade of patriotic events continues on Friday with an event at Mount Rushmore and on Saturday with a 'Salute to America' celebration on the National Mall in Washington, featuring a 35-minute fireworks display over the Potomac River.
