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President Donald Trump called on Americans to rediscover the “indomitable spirit” that built the nation as it approaches its 250th anniversary, saying no one better embodied that ideal than former President Theodore Roosevelt.
Speaking Wednesday at the dedication of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota, the president praised Roosevelt’s leadership, patriotism and vision for the country.
“This is a time to rediscover the indomitable spirit that built our country and all that will ensure America always remains the most exceptional nation on the face of the Earth,” he said at the Burning Hills Amphitheater. “There could be no better place to begin this rediscovery than with the life, times, and passions of Theodore Roosevelt.”
“He had great passion. The colonel, they called him, was an American man … through and through.”
“His chest swelled with American optimism, confidence, enthusiasm, and pride,” President Trump continued. “His heart beat with an unyielding sense of America’s destiny and pride.”
The president arrived in North Dakota aboard the refurbished Air Force One aircraft donated by Qatar. The temporary presidential jet, which will remain in service until Boeing delivers a replacement expected in 2028, features a red, white, dark blue and gold color scheme selected by the president.
After landing, he traveled by train decorated with red, white and blue bunting and emblazoned with “1776-2026” to the presidential library, which is scheduled to open Saturday. His motorcade was accompanied by horseback riders portraying Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, the volunteer cavalry regiment Roosevelt led during the Spanish-American War.
Trump said Roosevelt’s life offers five lessons: Americans should never give up, a free nation must have courage, the country succeeds when it embraces merit over failure, America should think big and citizens should remain united as Americans first.
“Theodore Roosevelt understood that whatever our background, we are all Americans,” Trump said. “We’re Americans first, united under one flag, and we don’t wipe our hands on a flag.”