• Trump proposed honoring Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Kobe Bryant, and others in the National Garden of American Heroes.
  • The garden will celebrate “timeless exceptionalism” and reflect America’s greatness.
  • Announcement follows backlash over executive orders banning diversity and inclusion initiatives in federal spaces.

President Trump announced plans to include over 10 prominent Black historical figures in the proposed National Garden of American Heroes during a Black History Month reception held at the White House. The announcement took place Thursday in the East Room, where Trump addressed a packed crowd.

Black Icons to Be Honored in National Garden

The garden, which Trump described as a tribute to America’s “timeless exceptionalism,” will feature statues of influential Black Americans. He highlighted iconic women like Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday, and Coretta Scott King, drawing applause from attendees.

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Trump also emphasized that Black men, including Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, Jackie Robinson, Martin Luther King Jr., Muhammad Ali, and Kobe Bryant, will be commemorated. Bryant, the beloved NBA and Olympic champion who passed away in 2020, is the most recently deceased figure to earn recognition in the project.

Construction Timeline and Amendments

Initially, the garden was to be completed by July 4, 2026, to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. However, Trump’s recent executive order amendment now calls for the site to be finished “as expeditiously as possible.” The location is yet to be finalized, with several states reportedly competing to host the landmark.

Trump stated, “We’re picking the final sites now. It’s between various states that want it very badly. We’ll honor hundreds of our greatest Americans to ever live, including countless Black American icons.”

National Garden’s Mission to Inspire

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The garden aims to reflect the nation’s greatness and inspire visitors of all ages. “It will be a place where citizens, young and old, can renew their vision of greatness,” Trump explained, referencing his first address to Congress, where he urged Americans to “believe in yourselves, believe in your future, and believe, once more, in America.”

Controversy Surrounding DEI Executive Orders

Trump’s announcement comes amid backlash over recent executive orders banning diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the federal workforce, public education, and military. Critics argue these measures contradict the inclusive message of the National Garden.

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