New Trump Statue Unveiled in Rapid City, South Dakota Amid Controversy
Rapid City, SD — A statue of former President Donald Trump was unveiled at the Elks Theater in Rapid City on Saturday, marking the latest addition to the City of Presidents art project. Created by local sculptor Jim Maher, the statue captures Trump mid-speech, hand raised in his signature gesture. Maher acknowledged the mixed reactions to his work, stating, “I knew it would be a controversial piece.”
This statue is part of a 25-year-old initiative aimed at attracting tourists by immortalizing the likenesses of all U.S. presidents. With Trump now among them, the project has successfully included all leaders up to the 45th presidency. The ceremony was attended by Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun, Representative Dusty Johnson, and others associated with the project, despite a gathering of protestors outside expressing dissent.
Maher, who has also sculpted statues of other presidents including Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan, expressed conviction about Trump’s historical significance. “I have no doubt that Trump will be one of the more consequential figures in American history,” he noted, while reflecting on the changing political landscape during Trump’s second term.
Ally Formanek, interim CEO of Visit Rapid City, highlighted the statue’s role in honoring presidential legacies, stating, “The addition of this statue supports the trail’s mission of sharing the diverse legacies of our country’s leadership.” Following the summer season, the Trump statue will be moved to join its counterparts in downtown Rapid City, with plans for a statue of current President Joe Biden already in the works.
The City of Presidents project continues to stir discussion, encapsulating the ever-changing narrative of American leadership and public sentiment.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
