Trump to Rename Denali as Mt McKinley

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has expressed his plans to rename Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, back to its former name of Mount McKinley. This bold move undoes the decision made in 2015 by Democratic former President Barack Obama to rename the mountain to Denali, after the local Athabascan name meaning “the High One”.

During a speech in Phoenix, Trump praised William McKinley, the 25th U.S. president assassinated in 1901, by highlighting his achievements. The peak had historically been known as Mount McKinley since 1917, but the state of Alaska, with its rich history and connection to the mountain, favored the change to Denali.

The mountain, standing at over 20,000 feet (6,100 meters) in elevation, was originally named in honor of McKinley by a gold prospector who admired his political stance on the gold standard. Despite McKinley never visiting the mountain or having a significant historical link to it, the name change by Obama aimed to respect local heritage and traditions.

The state of Alaska officially designated the name Denali in 1975, urging the federal government to do the same. Trump, a Republican, recognized McKinley for his presidency filled with significant events like the Spanish-American War and raising tariffs to advance U.S. industry. By renaming the mountain, Trump aims to honor McKinley’s legacy and contributions to the nation.