President Donald Trump visited Medora, North Dakota, on Wednesday (July 1), to dedicate the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, praising the 26th U.S. president as a "true American hero" and highlighting Roosevelt's impact on the nation's identity. The event coincides with the United States' 250th anniversary celebrations and marks a major milestone for the state and the nation.

The library, a $450 million, 96,000-square-foot facility, stands in the rugged Badlands where Roosevelt developed his conservation values in the 1880s. President Trump arrived in Medora after traveling on the new Air Force One—a Boeing 747 donated by Qatar—making the trip its maiden presidential voyage, according to reporting by Reuters.

President Trump was joined by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, a former governor of North Dakota and key supporter of the library project. According to the Associated Press, President Trump toured the library, greeted crowds—including Roughrider reenactors—and emphasized the importance of Roosevelt's legacy in his remarks at the dedication ceremony.

The library opens to the public on Saturday (July 4), aligning with Independence Day festivities. Organizers hope the site will attract families, students, and visitors traveling to the region's national parks. President Trump is also scheduled to appear at a fireworks show at Mount Rushmore later this week before returning to Washington, D.C., for further July Fourth events, as reported by The Hill.

All living presidents were invited to the grand opening, which highlights Roosevelt's conservation efforts, military service, and leadership, while also examining controversial aspects of his legacy. The library was made possible by a combination of public funding and private donations from figures such as oil executive Harold Hamm and members of the Walton family.

Some conservation leaders used the occasion to express concerns about current policies affecting public lands, arguing they differ from Roosevelt's conservation ideals. Nonetheless, the dedication event focused on honoring Roosevelt’s influence on American history, with President Trump calling him "the heart and soul of America."