President Donald Trump visited North Dakota on Wednesday to tour the newly built Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, a facility dedicated to the life of the 26th U.S. president.
The library's official opening is scheduled for Saturday, coinciding with the nation's 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Trump, who arrived aboard a Boeing 747 provided by Qatar, toured the $450 million, 96,000-square-foot facility. The library is situated in the landscape where Theodore Roosevelt developed his conservationist views while ranching and hunting in the 1880s.
Speaking at a Western-themed amphitheater after his tour, Trump lauded Roosevelt's bravery in his personal and political life, stating, “He had a freakin’ wild life. He didn’t want to be quiet. He wanted to be great.”
Trump announced that his administration would contribute $750,000 to support the library's first year of operation. The event was organized by Freedom 250, a group established by Trump. All living presidents had been invited to the library's grand opening.
Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library
Trump has frequently expressed admiration for Roosevelt and has drawn parallels between himself and the former president. He has previously highlighted construction of the Panama Canal during the Roosevelt administration.
During his visit, Trump engaged with an artificial-intelligence version of Theodore Roosevelt, inquiring if the Panama Canal was his greatest accomplishment. The AI Roosevelt indicated pride in the canal while also citing achievements in parks, medicine, and his "Square Deal" domestic program.
Trump also mentioned Roosevelt's White House boxing matches, though he did not allude to an incident where Roosevelt suffered a detached retina during sparring.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, a former North Dakota governor, has been a prominent supporter of the library project. Burgum championed the library to the North Dakota legislature in 2019, emphasizing its tourism potential. The legislature approved a $50 million endowment for operations, contingent on private fundraising reaching $100 million, a goal achieved in 2020. Current donations total approximately $354 million.
Notable donors include oil executive Harold Hamm, the Walton family, and Citadel CEO Kenneth Griffin.
Roosevelt's North Dakota Roots
Theodore Roosevelt first visited Dakota Territory in 1883 to hunt bison. Following the deaths of his mother and wife on Valentine's Day in 1884, he spent time ranching and hunting in the West, an experience he credited with shaping his future presidency.
His time in North Dakota, from 1884 to 1887, involved activities such as chasing boat thieves and confronting a bar patron, experiences that contributed to his personal growth. He later stated that he would not have become president without his North Dakota experiences.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is located near the library, offering visitors opportunities to explore the Badlands where bison and wild horses reside.
Library's Exhibits and Conservation Concerns
The library aims to educate visitors on Roosevelt's conservation initiatives and his Rough Riders regiment. It will also address aspects of his legacy that have drawn criticism, such as "horrific comments" about Native Americans that "have obviously aged poorly," according to library executive director Robbie Lauf.
Artifacts on display include Roosevelt's Rough Riders uniform, his 1884 diary detailing his personal losses, and the eyeglasses case, speech, and shirt from the 1912 assassination attempt.
Organizers anticipate the library will attract families, students, and tourists traveling to nearby national parks and the Black Hills.
President Donald Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum cut a ribbon for Theodore Roosevelt's Medal of Honor.
Prior to the library's opening, conservation leaders expressed criticism of Burgum and Trump's policies, arguing they conflict with Roosevelt's conservation principles. Concerns were raised about budget cuts, staff reductions, and the prioritization of energy development on public lands. Burgum has defended policies prioritizing the development of public lands and natural resources.
Trump is scheduled to visit South Dakota's Mount Rushmore on Friday for Independence Day fireworks, a tradition he continued from 2020.