President Donald Trump used his visit to the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota’s Badlands to talk to an AI version of the 20th-century president about his “greatest achievement.”
“Would you consider the Panama Canal your greatest achievement?” Trump asked the animated Roosevelt in a video shared by his communications advisor, Margo Martin, on X Wednesday.
“The canal stands as one of my proudest battles,” Roosevelt said. Though he cautioned, “It isn’t always the biggest or boldest job that matters most.”
The AI president said he measures his “greatest work by the lives improved,” mentioning his accomplishments in national park expansion, food and drug safety and his Square Deal domestic policy focused partly on corporate regulation.
After the Roosevelt administration helped Panama gain independence from Colombia, the US was granted a 10-mile-wide strip of land to build a canal to ship goods between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Panama was eventually given control of the canal thanks to treaties negotiated by the late President Jimmy Carter.
Trump has threatened to try to take back the Panama Canal, writing on Truth Social in December 2024, “The Panama Canal is considered a VITAL National Asset for the United States, due to its critical role to America’s Economy and National Security.”
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has insisted that his country controls the canal, saying in a video message at the time, “The sovereignty and independence of our country is non-negotiable.”
After arriving in Medora, North Dakota, on the new $400 million Air Force One plane gifted to the U.S. by Qatar, the president toured the presidential library, which will open to the public on July 4 — America’s 250th birthday.
Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, a former North Dakota governor who played a vital role in the library’s creation, cut the ribbon Wednesday to officially open the museum.
The president also loaned Roosevelt’s Medal of Honor from the White House to the library during his trip, saying, “I want to give one to myself.”
After touring the library, Trump gave a speech at a Western-themed amphitheater, where he spoke about his talk with AI Roosevelt.
“I even had a conversation with Theodore Roosevelt. I said, 'What do you think about the Panama Canal? Do you consider that your greatest achievement and how do you feel about the fact that the Democrats gave the Panama Canal away to Panama for $1?'’ Trump said, repeating his frequently used, hyperbolic claim.
Trump praised Roosevelt during his speech, saying that “his chest swelled with American optimism and confidence, enthusiasm, pride.”
The president also bizarrely said he would refuse to say whether he or Theodore Roosevelt received more votes.
"I refuse to tell you — my son said, 'Dad don't say that,' so I won't — I refuse to tell you who got more votes, me or the legendary, and he was great, Theodore Roosevelt,” Trump said. “I refuse to say. Because you'll say, 'He's a braggart! He's a terrible human being!'"
Read MoreOil prices fall to pre-war levels as Strait of Hormuz shipping slowly recovers
Palantir CEO flames AI firms live on TV: ‘I feel like I’m gonna get kicked out!’
Trump news live: President recounts man who thanked him for saving his marriage
Iran war live: Qatar cites ‘positive progress’ despite talks stalemate
Trump bought up to $5M of stock in Taser company right before $220M ICE bid
Federal judge says Supreme Court decisions show ‘emerging pragmatic conservatism’
