President Donald Trump visited Medora, North Dakota, to dedicate the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, where he honored the 26th president's legacy and engaged with an artificial intelligence-powered hologram of Roosevelt. Trump described Roosevelt as a "great man" who possessed a "freakin' wild life," recounting his transformation from a physically frail young man to a robust outdoorsman and leader.
During his remarks, Trump highlighted Roosevelt's determination, stating, "He never stopped, never quit and never surrendered in pursuit of his dreams." He drew parallels between Roosevelt's New York upbringing and his own, noting Roosevelt's transition from wealth to becoming a trust-busting reformer. The president detailed Roosevelt's formative years in North Dakota between 1884 and 1887, a period marked by personal tragedy with the deaths of his wife and mother within hours of each other. Trump emphasized Roosevelt's resilience, saying, "Theodore Roosevelt did not surrender to fate. He came here to Medora and made himself fate’s master."
A notable feature of the library visit was Trump's interaction with an AI hologram of Theodore Roosevelt in the Oval Office exhibit. The digital representation of Roosevelt discussed historical achievements, including the Panama Canal, with Trump. The president expressed his interest in seeing the canal returned to U.S. control during their conversation.
Trump also brought Theodore Roosevelt's Medal of Honor, on loan from the White House, for display at the library. Roosevelt is the only president to have received the medal, awarded posthumously in 2001 for his leadership of the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War.
Reenactors dressed as Roosevelt's Rough Riders accompanied the presidential motorcade. Trump spoke about Roosevelt's political career, including his early support for urban infrastructure in New York City and his emphasis on merit in federal appointments. The library, located near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, is set to open to the public on July 4. While all living presidents were invited to the ceremony, Trump was the only one in attendance.