America’s majestic peaks have long stood as monuments to our nation’s history, their names echoing the stories of those who shaped our republic. For generations, the tallest mountain in North America honored William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States – until a unilateral decision changed that nearly a decade ago.
In an era when historical names and monuments face increasing scrutiny, the battle over America’s highest peak continues to symbolize a deeper struggle over our nation’s heritage and values.
Now, President-elect Donald Trump has announced a decisive action to restore the mountain’s historic designation, promising to reverse what many conservatives view as an overreach by the Obama administration.
Speaking at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix, Trump declared his intention to return the name “Mount McKinley” to the 20,310-foot Alaska peak that Obama renamed Denali in 2015.
“They took his name off Mount McKinley,” Trump said. “That’s what they do to people.”
McKinley’s Incredible Presidency
The announcement highlights a crucial debate about preserving American historical landmarks while respecting local traditions. McKinley, a Republican president known for his strong protectionist policies and economic leadership, transformed America’s economic landscape through strategic tariffs that protected American industry and workers.
Under his administration, the United States saw unprecedented industrial growth and established itself as a global economic power.
“McKinley was a very good, maybe a great president,” Trump emphasized, connecting the 19th-century leader’s economic nationalism to current conservative principles. “That’s one of the reasons that we’re going to bring back the name of Mount McKinley because I think he deserves it.”
The mountain’s name has been a point of contention since August 30, 2015, when Obama’s Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell signed Secretarial Order 3337, changing it to Denali. The peak had officially carried McKinley’s name since 1917, though Alaska’s state government began using “Denali” in 1975 through a resolution passed by the state legislature.
Supporters of the McKinley designation argue that the 2015 name change represented federal overreach and a troubling pattern of erasing American historical figures. During McKinley’s presidency (1897-1901), his administration’s policies led to a 40% increase in American manufacturing output and established the gold standard, creating unprecedented economic stability.
The Bigger Picture
The controversy mirrors broader national debates about preserving historical names and monuments. During Trump’s first term, he met with Alaska’s senators to discuss reversing Obama’s decision, though he ultimately didn’t proceed with the change at that time.
This renewed commitment to restoring the McKinley name signals a larger conservative priority of protecting American heritage from what many view as revisionist attempts to reshape historical narratives. The mountain’s designation represents more than just a name – it symbolizes an ongoing discussion about how America honors its past while addressing present-day concerns.
As the debate continues, the majestic peak stands as a testament to both America’s natural grandeur and its complex cultural heritage. The coming months will likely determine whether this iconic landmark will once again carry the name of a president who helped shape America’s emergence as a global economic power, or if it will retain its indigenous designation.
What remains clear is that America’s highest peak continues to serve as a powerful symbol in our national conversation about heritage, authority, and the proper balance between federal power and local traditions.
Key Takeaways:
- Trump’s pledge to restore Mount McKinley name represents pushback against historical revisionism.
- McKinley’s economic nationalism and tariff policies mirror modern conservative priorities.
- Federal overreach in 2015 name change ignored century of American heritage.
- Battle over mountain’s name highlights broader cultural preservation struggles.
Sources: The Daily Beast, ABC News, Anchorage Daily News, The New York Post
