Voters favor adding Reagan, Trump to Mt Rushmore

Mount Rushmore is one of the USA’s most recognizable symbols. It’s been 80 years since designer Gutzon Borglum carved the four faces of U.S. Presidents — George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln — onto the side of a mountain in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Borglum, along with many other legislators and politicians believed all four presidents shepherded the U.S. through the most important events in the history of the U.S.

 While we don’t seriously expect Mount Rushmore to get a new face on it anytime soon, it is a fun thing to consider: which recent U.S. President is most deserving of joining those original four? And what does our answer say about us as voters and what kind of leaders we value? We asked that question on our most recent quarterly survey and the results were revealing: the largest percentage of likely voters, at 29%, said they wouldn’t add any modern President to Mount Rushmore. However, 19% were for Ronald Reagan, 19% for Donald Trump, & 15% for Barack Obama.

 Interestingly, among our Republican voters, it was down to 1 respondent who gave Reagan the edge with 28.9% over 28.5% for Trump. This is another sign that today’s Republican Party is evenly split between Old Guard Conservatives and a new type of populist Republican in the Trump mold.

 Out of curiosity, given the U.S.’s recent events, which U.S. President or political figure would you like to see added to Mount Rushmore? Does the site even need updating? Do you think the natural splendor of the land stands as a testament to America’s ideals? Please leave us a comment.