President Donald Trump officially opened the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota, on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, as part of the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations. The event marked the first public use of a newly refurbished Boeing 747, gifted by Qatar, which will serve as Air Force One. Trump arrived aboard the aircraft before participating in a ceremonial Freedom 250 train ride to the library's grand opening.
During the dedication ceremony, Trump praised Theodore Roosevelt's legacy, emphasizing his pride in American optimism and confidence. The president also gifted the library Roosevelt's Medal of Honor, which was awarded posthumously for bravery during the Spanish-American War. Trump noted that the medal had been displayed in the White House's Roosevelt Room for many years before its transfer to the new museum.
The $450 million library project, supported by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, features immersive exhibits and personal artifacts, including a bloodstained shirt Roosevelt wore during an assassination attempt in 1912. The architecture blends with the surrounding Badlands landscape, honoring Roosevelt's conservationist legacy.
Trump's visit included a motorcade escorted by horseback riders dressed as Roosevelt's Rough Riders, a nod to the military unit he led during the Spanish-American War. The president also made a lighthearted remark about awarding his sons and himself the Medal of Honor, though he quickly clarified it was a joke.
The event drew thousands of attendees, many wearing patriotic displays, as the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary on July 4. Trump's remarks highlighted Roosevelt's adventurous spirit and his vision for America, contrasting it with contemporary political divisions.