After taking office last month, United States President Donald Trump has vocally opposed diversity initiatives and has prioritized dismantling numerous government DEI programs through executive actions. However, in a surprising turn of events, he has opted to celebrate America’s diversity by honoring Black American icons for Black History Month. On Thursday, he unveiled plans to enhance the National Garden of American Heroes with statues of several legendary American sports figures.
During a White House event marking Black History Month, Trump disclosed that the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant, boxing icon Muhammad Ali, and civil rights trailblazer Jackie Robinson will be immortalized with statues in the garden, Fox News reports. Muhammad Ali was not only a boxing legend but also a key figure in political and social activism during the civil rights era. Kobe Bryant, celebrated as one of the greatest basketball players, also used his influence for societal impact. Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier as the league’s first Black athlete.
In addition to the star athletes, Trump announced the commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, Coretta Scott King, and Frederick Douglass with statues. This announcement is quite unexpected, especially given Trump’s recent rhetoric regarding diversity, and it has sparked a variety of reactions on social media.
One person wrote on X, “His version of Reparations.” Another commented, “I gotta be dreaming or something.. I thought this guy was racist from what some of the world says.. seems like a guy who is trying to acknowledge some of AA iconic figures imo.. when was the last POTUS to do that?” A third user remarked, “That is honestly great,” while another stated, “A diverse garden honoring great Americans – let’s celebrate unity.” However, some were skeptical, with comments like, “Nice PR stunt,” and “But I thought he was a racist,” circulating online.
Located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the National Garden of American Heroes aims to honor individuals from diverse backgrounds through statues, busts, and plaques recognizing their contributions to the nation. With these additions, the Garden will reflect a broader spectrum of diversity than ever before.
