Trump Announces Plan to Change the Name of the USA’s Tallest Mountain

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President-elect Donald Trump has announced his intention to change the name of the USA’s tallest mountain “Denali” back to “Mount McKinley,” arguing that William McKinley was a “great president” who deserves the honor.

Key Facts:

– The 20,000-foot peak is in Alaska’s Denali National Park and Preserve.
– It was first named Mount McKinley in 1896, but officially changed to Denali in 2015 by President Obama.
– “Denali” is an Athabaskan term meaning “the high one,” recognizing native heritage.
– Ohio lawmakers had opposed the change, citing President McKinley’s legacy.
– Trump previously asked Alaska’s senators if they wanted to undo Obama’s decision, but they declined.

The Rest of The Story:

America’s tallest mountain was named Mount McKinley in 1896 in honor of William McKinley, the 25th U.S. president.

In 2015, President Obama renamed the landmark to Denali to reflect the long-standing name used by Alaska’s Native people.

Trump believes reverting to “Mount McKinley” would celebrate McKinley’s accomplishments, including his role in leading the nation to victory in the Spanish-American War.

Changing the name again may be a lengthy process, requiring approval from the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, local communities, and potentially Congress.

Both Alaskan senators previously backed keeping the name Denali in respect to Native Alaskan traditions because of the mountain’s cultural importance.

Commentary:

Regardless of whether Denali becomes Mount McKinley once more, many find Trump’s emphasis on preserving American history and traditions refreshing.

Critics call it a challenge to “woke” language shifts, while supporters argue it is a patriotic stand against rewriting history.

Revisiting these symbolic changes can spark debate, but Trump’s interest in highlighting America’s past reflects his broader theme of restoring American greatness.

To some, honoring McKinley might reassert national pride in a time when older landmarks and monuments face increasing scrutiny.

The Bottom Line:

Trump’s plan to rename Denali back to Mount McKinley reignites a conversation about balancing respect for Indigenous heritage with celebrating American history.

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