Trump Seeks to Restore Mount McKinley's Name, Reversing Obama's Nod to Native Heritage

In a recent declaration that has stirred considerable attention, President-elect Donald Trump has expressed his intention to reinstate the original name of America's tallest mountain—Mount McKinley—overturning a change made by former President Barack Obama in 2015. This decision had been made to honor the preferences of Alaska's native community by renaming the mountain to Denali, a name that holds deep cultural significance.

Located in the heart of Denali National Park and Preserve in south-central Alaska, the mountain stood as Mount McKinley from 1917 until 2015. The peak was named after William McKinley, the 25th president of the United States, who was tragically assassinated in 1901. McKinley was a notable figure in American history, recognized for his role in raising protective tariffs to boost national industry and leading the United States to victory in the Spanish-American War after his inauguration in 1897.

The decision to rename the 20,000-foot peak was part of a broader effort by the Obama administration to pay homage to the cultural heritage of Alaska's indigenous population. The 2015 order pointed out that McKinley had never visited Alaska and had no significant historical ties to the mountain itself or to the state. The local Athabascan name, Denali, translates to "the High One" and was officially recognized by the state of Alaska in 1975, long advocating for the federal government to adopt this designation.

Trump, speaking to his supporters in Phoenix, criticized the renaming process as disrespectful to President McKinley's legacy. "They took his name off Mount McKinley," Trump remarked, underscoring his belief that McKinley was a "great president" who "deserves" this honor. Trump's push to restore the mountain's former name reflects his broader agenda of reversing several decisions made during the Obama era.

This contentious issue was previously discussed during Trump's first term in a private meeting in March 2017 with Alaska's Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan. Despite Trump's proposal, both senators advocated for preserving the name Denali, highlighting the importance of this name to the Alaskan natives and the broader community.

Trump's vow to revert the mountain's name back to Mount McKinley has ignited a mix of support and criticism, revealing deeper divisions on issues related to cultural heritage and historical recognition. As Trump prepares to assume office, this move exemplifies one of the many policy reversals he aims to implement, which he believes will correct past administrations' overreach and restore respect to historical figures like McKinley. The debate over the mountain's name continues to evoke strong feelings on both sides, symbolizing a broader national discourse on how history is commemorated and whose heritage is honored.