US President Donald Trump has been leaning heavily into artificial intelligence on social media, posting a series of AI-generated videos that mix satire, self-promotion, and cultural commentary. The latest — and most viral — clip shows his face carved onto Mount Rushmore, alongside America’s most iconic presidents.
Trump’s Mount Rushmore AI video
The video Trump shared on X (formerly Twitter) opens with the familiar sight of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Seconds later, a fifth face appears: Donald Trump.
The post struck a chord with his supporters. MAGA loyalists have long joked or campaigned online for Trump to be added to the granite monument, arguing that his presidency deserves recognition alongside America’s historic leaders. Now, with AI tools at hand, that fantasy has taken visual form.
At the time of writing, the clip had surpassed seven million views, generating a storm of memes, praise, and criticism.
Why are these four presidents on Mount Rushmore?
The existing figures on Mount Rushmore were chosen to symbolize major milestones in US history:
- George Washington: The nation’s founding father and first president, who led the Revolutionary War for independence.
- Thomas Jefferson: Author of the Declaration of Independence and the country’s third president.
- Theodore Roosevelt: The 26th president, who oversaw rapid industrial growth and championed conservation.
- Abraham Lincoln: The 16th president, who preserved the Union during the Civil War and abolished slavery.
Trump’s digital “addition” plays on the monument’s symbolism, even as experts emphasize that physically altering Mount Rushmore is geologically and politically impossible.
“It comes down to the geology, the engineering,” said Paul Nelson, a retired engineer who worked on the structure, in a past interview with NBC News. “It just can’t be done.”
Other AI videos Trump has shared
The Mount Rushmore video is just one in a string of AI-generated posts Trump has recently embraced. Each one taps into cultural debates, nostalgia, or internet humor.
Dancing with the Cracker Barrel mascot
In another AI clip, Trump is seen dancing to “YMCA” with the Cracker Barrel restaurant chain’s mascot.
This video came after the company scrapped plans to redesign its logo without the long-time “Old Timer” mascot, following customer backlash. Trump’s video amplified the controversy, poking fun at corporate branding battles while presenting himself as aligned with tradition.
Sumo wrestlers surprise his followers
Trump also shared an unexpected AI video featuring two sumo wrestlers. While less political than his other posts, the clip highlighted his tendency to use AI for humor and spectacle, engaging fans with playful, offbeat content.
Why Trump’s use of AI matters
Trump’s embrace of AI-generated media raises larger questions about politics, technology, and culture:
- Political messaging: These videos allow Trump to push narratives or jokes without saying a word, letting visuals do the work.
- Digital campaigning: They demonstrate how AI tools are shaping modern political communication — fast, viral, and meme-ready.
- Cultural influence: From Mount Rushmore to restaurant logos, Trump’s videos plug into cultural debates, ensuring relevance beyond policy.
Can Trump’s face ever be added to Mount Rushmore?
While fans continue to push the idea online, experts unanimously dismiss it. Mount Rushmore is not only geologically unsuitable for additional carvings but also protected as a historic monument. Adding Trump would require significant engineering, environmental, and legal hurdles, making it, in Nelson’s words, “impossible.”
The bottom line
Trump’s Mount Rushmore AI video may never be a reality, but it’s a powerful example of how digital tools are reshaping political storytelling. By blending humor, pop culture, and presidential legacy into shareable clips, Trump is turning AI into a key piece of his communication strategy, whether his critics like it or not.
