Politics - News Analysis

Trump’s Silly Mid-Pandemic July 4th Mount Rushmore Celebration Cost Taxpayers Almost $4 Million

According to Newsweek, a report released on Monday shows that last year’s Independence Day Celebration hosted by former President Donald Trump at Mount Rushmore cost nearly $4 million.

The report was released Monday by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and it found that the total costs for the 2020 July Fourth events, held in Washington, D.C., and at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota totaled $14,573, 608.

And when the accounts were broken down, the GAO found the Mount Rushmore shindig was the priciest, costing a whopping $3.92 million, while the Capitol Fourth concert in D.C. came in second, costing $3.89 million. Other events cost between $1.6 million and $2.6 million.

The GAO audits the federal government and said it was asked to review the costs of the event and the safety measures taken due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“During the 2020 Fourth of July events, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—issued federal guidelines as well as state and local guidelines that South Dakota and Washington, D.C. issued were in effect,” according to the report.

The GAO found that numerous protective measures were undertaken in Washington, D.C., but it was a different story for South Dakota, where the state implemented its own laws.

“During the event, [National Park Service] provided [personal protective equipment] to event staff, developed signage that was distributed throughout the event, and encouraged attendees to remain socially distanced and wear masks,” the GAO reported. “However, social distancing and mask-wearing were not requirements.”

South Dakota has kept its COVID-19 restrictions fairly loose, thanks to Trump-supporting Governor Kristi Noem, who ignored science and failed to implement a statewide mask mandate and encouraged large gatherings where social distancing was rarely practiced. Ahead of the celebrations she merely said those with health problems should stay home and added that free face masks would be offered but social distancing would not be required at the event.

Trump’s costly festivities drew criticism last summer when he flew to Mount Rushmore for the flashy fireworks display and military flyover while the nation was dealing with the painful symbolism monuments such as Mount Rushmore suggest.

In nationwide protests against the death of George Floyd, statues of Confederate figures drew criticism as symbols of racism and oppression (because that’s what they are) as opposed to symbols of freedom.

That applies to Mount Rushmore as well, where many people view the monument as a disrespectful reminder of how the land used to establish the monument was stolen from Native Americans. Others have also pointed out that the landmark’s sculptor, Gutzon Borglum, was a member of the Ku Klux Klan. And that’s not all. Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both owned slaves.

Trump, being as tone-deaf to such situations as he is, used the July Fourth celebration to denounce those who called for the removal of these monuments across the country.

“I am here as your president to proclaim before the country, and before the world, this monument will never be desecrated,” he told the Mount Rushmore crowd.

“These heroes will never be defaced. Their legacy will never ever be destroyed, their achievements will never be forgotten, and Mount Rushmore will stand forever. As an eternal tribute to our forefathers and to our freedom.”

So along with really being a tribute to racism, last year’s July Fourth celebration was also the costliest one on record. Prior to 2019, the yearly event cost roughly $6.5 million. However, in 2019 Independence Day festivities event leapt to $13 million.

Fortunately, the National Park Service is refusing to allow Noem to hold a Fourth of July fireworks display, owing to the fact that it may be risky to the health and safety of the park and anyone in it. The Service has also noted local Native American tribes are objecting to the celebration, but Noem, ever the right-winger, has said she plans to appeal the federal court ruling that sides with the National Park Service.

meet the author

Megan has lived in California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida and she currently lives in Central America. Living in these places has informed her writing on politics, science, and history. She is currently owned by 15 cats and 3 dogs and regularly owns Trump supporters when she has the opportunity. She can be found on Twitter at https://twitter.com/GaiaLibra and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/politicalsaurus

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