In Mount Rushmore speech, Trump attacks ‘Left-wing cultural revolution’
SOUTHDAKOTA: President Donald Trump on Friday accused “angry mobs” of trying to erase history with efforts to remove or rethink monuments to US historical figures and used a speech at Mount Rushmore to paint himself as a bulwark against leftwing extremism.
The pre-July 4 holiday event drew 7,500 people, packed into an outdoor amphitheatre. Many did not wear masks, defying the advice of health officials who have urged Americans to avoid large gatherings to slow the spread of the disease. Trump has not worn a mask in public.
Speaking underneath the famed landmark depicting four US presidents, Trump warned that the demonstrations over racial inequality threatened the foundations of the US political system.
“Make no mistake, this left wing cultural revolution is designed to overthrow the American revolution,” Trump said.
MOUNT RUSH MORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL, SOUTH DAKOTA: US President Donald Trump on Friday accused “angry mobs” of trying to erase history with efforts to remove or rethink monuments to US historical figures and used a speech at Mount Rushmore to paint himself as a bulwark against leftwing extremism.
The pre-July 4 holiday event drew 7,500 people, packed into an outdoor amphitheatre. Many did not wear masks, defying the advice of health officials who have urged Americans to avoid large gatherings to slow the spread of Covid-19.
Trump has not worn a mask in public and made only limited reference to the pandemic in his remarks.
Speaking underneath the famed landmark depicting four US presidents, Trump warned that the demonstrations over racial inequality threatened the foundations of the US political system.
“Make no mistake, this left wing cultural revolution is designed to overthrow the American revolution,” Trump said. “Our children are taught in school to hate their own country.”
In the nationwide unrest following the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis, protesters in several cities have vandalised the statues of leaders, including Confederate generals who led a rebellion against the US government during the 1861-65 US civil war.
Protesters in one instance unsuccessfully tried to pull down a statue of US president Andrew Jackson outside the White House. Jackson, known for his populist policies, owned slaves and forced thousands of Native Americans from their homes.
“Angry mobs are trying to tear down statues of our founders, deface our most sacred memorials, and unleash a wave of violent crime in our cities,” Trump said.
Trump, a Republican who has emphasised a “law and order” approach to the demonstrations, has opposed proposals to rename US military bases that are named after Confederate generals.
The programme was not an official campaign event, but Trump touched on key themes meant to energise his base ahead of the November 3 election. Many in the crowd wore Trump memorabilia and chanted “Four More Years” before the programme began. Trump trails presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in opinion polls in key states.