CNN’s Don Lemon Calls for Obama’s Face to Be Added to Mount Rushmore
The first black president should be 'front and center' Lemon said
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CNN host Don Lemon said former President Barack Obama should be added to the historic Mount Rushmore sculptures, which include the faces of Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt.
Lemon argued that the first black president should be "front and center" on the monument.
“You see the right-wing machine kick in, media kick in and see Trump’s poll numbers go south. They kick in with Democratic cities are in chaos right now," Lemon said.
"Is this what you want from Joe Biden? And they are taking your country away sand they are going to take down statues. Crime is rising," Lemon added.
"It’s so bad. Oh my, defund police. And the people who you saw there for the most part —not specifically, as a whole, fall for it. They fall for it. That’s why they do things like that," he continued.
"They want to paint over signs and think it’s our country. This is the country that we built. Even though a rich diversity of people helped build the country, and many of us, meaning ancestors, for free — did not get paid for it, could not get an education, could not build wealth, are not on statues, Confederate or otherwise, are not on Mount Rushmore," Lemon argued.
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"I think, listen … if they are going to put someone on Mount Rushmore, considering the history of the country, the first black president should be front and center.”
Anchor Chris Cuomo interjected:
“Add to Mount Rushmore. I think that’s first of all; it’s a more salable idea than the idea of taking away Founding Fathers.”
WATCH:
Chris Cuomo and Don Lemon make clear --- yes, the Founders do all need to go. Same goes for Mount Rushmore, respect for the Founders, admiration for the Founding documents, and showing respect for those that came before us (despite their imperfections).
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) July 8, 2020
It's their way or else. pic.twitter.com/FFzqD7mi4v
Lemon replied:
“So what’s wrong with all of us together thinking or reshaping our country so that more people rethink our country in the way we think and where priorities are so the country it belongs to everyone.”
Cuomo replied, “Nothing is wrong with it.”
Lemon continued:
“Maybe some of the people up there on Mount Rushmore, who knows? The name shouldn’t be Mount Rushmore if you talk to Native Americans."
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"It is stolen land. It was only Mount Rushmore 40 years before they started to carve presidents’ faces in it. No one got any money for that.”
Cuomo said:
“You’re totally right. The premise is where we have to work toward, which is if we all decide. It’s about consensus and collective consciousness.”
Last week, CNN described Mount Rushmore as a “monument of two slave owners,” ahead of Presdient Donald Trump's visit.
The network went on to argued it was "wrestled [sic] away from Native American" land.
Back in 2008, when the then-Sen. Barack Obama visited Mount Rushmore om his campaign trial; the landmark was marveled by the network with no mention of slavery or racism.
CNN anchor Ron Marciano said at the time:
“Barack Obama is campaigning in South Dakota. That state’s primary is Tuesday. Obama arrived there late last night and got a good look around Mt. Rushmore — it’s quite a sight if you haven’t seen it.”
Trump reiterated his stance on law, order, and patriotism during his speech at the historic Mt Rushmore last weekend.
Trump condemned protesters seeking to destroy monuments to American history.
“I am here as your president to proclaim before the country and before the world: This monument will never be desecrated; these heroes will never be defaced; their legacy will never ever be destroyed; their achievements will not be forgotten, and Mount Rushmore will stand forever as an eternal tribute to our forefathers and our freedom,” Trump said.
