Trump Given Escort By Rough Riders At Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library
on Jul 01, 2026
On Wednesday, July 1, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library had its grand opening — only days away from the July 4 celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence — and President Donald Trump arrived in a manner worthy of the library’s namesake.
Accompanied by re-enactors of Rough Riders, Trump’s motorcade was given an escort by dozens of men on horseback.
“I met some of the Rough Riders — they are ‘rough riders,’ they’re good riders, too,” Trump remarked at a speech at the library’s grand opening, adding that they were “very impressive.”
The Rough Riders, which future President Teddy Roosevelt helped assemble, was the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry. 128 years ago, the Rough Riders became renowned for its charge on San Juan Hill on July 1, 1898, in the Spanish-American War.
The Rough Riders were disbanded later in 1898, but have lived on through re-enactors and other civic clubs.
Watch the Rough Riders give President Trump’s motorcade an escort to the Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library, here:
President Trump's motorcade receives an escort to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library from the Rough Riders! 🐎🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/y5VVkAV9Mv
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 1, 2026
This escort was preceded by a ride on the Freedom 250 Train.
RELATED: Biden Appears Confused, Gets Caught On Hot Mic, Renewing Curiosity Over His Mental State
Watch Trump’s Remarks At The Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library, Flanked By The Rough Riders
“Today, we come to the heartland of America to pay tribute to a man who embodied the heart and soul and fight and spirit of our country, as much as anyone who ever lived,” Trump said of President Teddy Roosevelt.
Teddy Roosevelt served as president from 1901 to 1909, serving almost two full terms as president after being sworn in as the 26th president following the assassination of President William McKinley.
This speech was given with the Rough Riders standing behind Trump, adding to the significance of this event.
Continuing, he said, “Here, beneath the wide open sky of the Badlands … on the steps of the Burning Hills, we dedicate a living monument to a legend: a statesman, a soldier, frontiersman, and a true American hero.”
He went on to say that Teddy lived “a frickin’ wild life.”
Trump noted that this trip marked the inaugural flight of the new Air Force Once, which was gifted to the United States by Qatar during Trump’s visit to the Middle East in 2025.
Noting that he “doesn’t admire too many people,” he said he does admire Teddy Roosevelt.
Through the National Endowment for the Humanities, Trump announced that the library would be receiving a $750,000 grant to support its first year of exhibits.
Turning to the subject of July 4, “This week, we look back on 250 years of glorious freedom.”
He also spoke on the heat wave that the central and eastern regions of the country is facing, saying, “By the way, on July 4th, it’s going to be approximately 107 degrees out, and I’m going to go and I’m gonna make a really long speech just to show I can do anything.”
Learn more about the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, and plan your trip there, at its official website.
Watch Trump’s full speech at the Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library, here:
RELATED: Trump Holds “America Is Back” Rally, Kicking Off Great American State Fair
Watch the CBS Sunday Morning special about the new presidential library, here:
