President Donald Trump arrived in North Dakota today as the Rough Riders provided a mounted escort for him and the presidential limousine route to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library
The Summer heat was already shimmering off the badlands as the presidential motorcade wound its way toward Medora, North Dakota. The rugged, sun-baked clay hills provided a dramatic backdrop for the day’s main event: the grand dedication of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
Leading the procession wasn’t just a fleet of armored SUVs, but a thundering escort of modern-day Rough Riders. Clad in traditional gear, their horses kicked up plumes of historic North Dakota dust alongside the sleek, heavily armored presidential limousine known as “The Beast.”
As the motorcade pulled up to the gleaming new library, the crowd erupted. Donald Trump stepped out of the vehicle, instantly enveloped by the mounted Rough Riders. The familiar, swelling chords of “God Bless the USA” echoed across the plaza, amplified by the outdoor speakers. He paused, soaking in the cheers of a sea of supporters sporting red hats and waving flags against the stark beauty of the Peace Garden State.
Walking up to the podium, Trump looked out at the crowd, then back at the sprawling library building. He gestured toward the entrance.
“I am honoring Theodore Roosevelt,” Trump began, his voice booming over the microphone. “That’s a man I have LONG admired. I don’t admire too many people!”
The crowd roared in approval. Trump paused, leaning over the podium with a grin, signaling a classic pivot. He looked at the two glass screens to his left and right. “And I have two teleprompters that aren’t working, and HERE I STAND!” He shrugged, throwing his hands up as the audience laughed and cheered at the unscripted moment.
“I’m back in North Dakota because I’ve won this state with the most votes in the HISTORY of the presidency!” he shouted, drawing another massive wave of applause. To mark the occasion, he turned to the library officials standing nearby. “And today, I am announcing that we are awarding the new Teddy Roosevelt Library nearly one million dollars for exhibits during this opening year.”
With the crowd energized and the teleprompters officially ignored, Trump leaned into his signature storytelling style, weaving history with his own brand of commentary.
“I even had a conversation with Theodore Roosevelt!” Trump said, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. “I said… how do you feel about the fact that the DEMOCRATS gave the Panama Canal away to Panama for one dollar?!”
He shook his head, looking out at the audience. “You know, he built the Panama Canal, preceded really by a man who was actually, he was the tariff king!”
Trump animatedly paced the stage, recounting the history of the canal with disbelief. “The Democrats GAVE AWAY the Panama Canal—built by Teddy Roosevelt—for one dollar. HOW STUPID was that?! Now CHINA is trying to take over the Panama Canal—and we’re NOT going to let that happen!”
He leaned in closer to the microphone, breaking down the economics of the deal. “We gave it away! The FIRST THING THEY DID: raised prices of the ships for four times, and didn’t lose one ship. And raised it twice. Didn’t lose one ship. Made tremendous amounts of money!”
As the speech entered its final stretch, the conversation shifted to the blistering summer weather creeping across the plains. With July 4th just around the corner, Trump looked out at the sun-drenched crowd and flashed a definitive smile.
“On July 4th, it’s going to be approximately 107 degrees out,” Trump proclaimed, defying the elements. “And I’m gonna go out, and I’m gonna make a REALLY long speech. Just to show that I CAN DO ANYTHING!”
With a final wave to the crowd and a salute to the mounted Rough Riders still framing the stage, Trump stepped away from the podium. “God Bless the USA” started up once more as he walked into the newly dedicated library, leaving the North Dakota crowd roaring under the vast western sky.
