Trump uses Mount Rushmore speech to allege ‘mortal threat’ from communism

President Donald Trump delivered a speech at Mount Rushmore National Memorial on July 3, 2026, alleging that communism poses a 'mortal threat' to American liberty. He referenced recent electoral successes of Democratic socialist candidates and linked the issue to Republican strategies for the November midterms, including passing the SAVE America Act. U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune attended the event but emphasized the unlikelihood of eliminating the filibuster or gaining Democratic support for the legislation.