“He has a lot of songs, but there are very few that I don’t like,” President Trump said of Elvis’ songs, adding, “He did nothing wrong.”
President Trump signs replica Elvis guitar at Graceland
During his visit to Graceland, President Trump called Elvis Presley “the most famous man on the planet” and signed a replica of the late icon’s guitar.
President Donald Trump sat in his “Jungle Room” and reflected on his battle with the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” during a pilgrimage to perhaps America’s most famous mansion outside of his own.
The president had just learned during a visit to Elvis Presley’s Graceland mansion that the famous musician holds multiple black belts in karate.
“Was he really that good?” Trump asked.
Well, when the president was informed that Elvis was good at karate, he replied, “Would I have taken him to a fight?”
Moments earlier, Trump signed a replica of Elvis’ guitar and used the opportunity to declare that his predecessor in the White House, Joe Biden, “couldn’t do that.” He marveled at Elvis’ gold-plated bedside phone, said, “I’d love to hear that conversation,” and declared “Heart” to be one of Elvis’ favorite songs.
“He has a lot of songs, but there are very few that I don’t like,” President Trump said of Elvis’ songs, adding, “He did nothing wrong.”
While visiting Memphis, Tennessee, on March 23, President Trump made a detour to Graceland to tout efforts to reduce crime in the city. According to the Graceland website, approximately 500,000 people visit Graceland each year, making it one of the five most visited residences in America.
President Trump said it was his first time visiting Elvis’ home. Among the exhibits President Trump received were Elvis’ last Grammy Award and the belt he received for breaking Las Vegas attendance records.
“I’m a huge Elvis fan. Who isn’t?” he said.
The president moved from room to room with a tour guide, ending up in Elvis’s study, which had carpeted ceilings and was nicknamed the “Jungle Room” by the media. Elvis recorded in his room. The tour guide said the carpet on the ceiling improved the sound.
“He was way ahead of his time…he had carpet on the ceiling,” Trump said.
One Graceland employee told reporters accompanying Trump that it was the second visit by a sitting president, the first being President George W. Bush’s visit with the Japanese prime minister in 2008.
President Trump awarded Elvis the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, during his first term in 2018. Asked if people might one day make pilgrimages to his Mar-a-Lago mansion in Palm Beach, much like Graceland, the president balked.
“You can never say that,” Trump said, before adding, “This is a special place, too.”
Contributor: Bert Jansen
