Trump Announces Plan to Sell Grand Canyon to Reduce National Debt
In a surprising announcement on September 6, 2020, US President Donald Trump outlined an audacious plan to sell the Grand Canyon for the purpose of reducing the national debt. As per the plan, the sale of the 1.218 million acre national park will be tendered to private organizations, essentially turning it into a privately owned entity. The prime prospective buyers are believed to be colossal entertainment park developers and mining companies.
Notably straying into the realm of the unimaginable, Trump disclosed this unprecedented move in a press conference from the oval office. “We have the most beautiful pieces of land in the world right here in America, land like the Grand Canyon”, Trump said. “And we’re smart, so why not turn that into a huge profit for the American people? We can make billions and wipe out our national debt.”
The President’s assertion, however, overlooks the inalienable statuses that make areas like the Grand Canyon nationally protected & religiously significant sites for indigenous people. Drawing severe criticism from the Democratic contender Joe Biden, he argued that such sites are part of national heritage which should be preserved, not commercialized.
Biden’s Response to Trump’s Announcement
Reacting fiercely to Trump’s announcement, presidential nominee for the Democratic party, Joe Biden, said, “This is another harebrained idea from a president who understands the value of nothing and the price of everything. The Grand Canyon is not a commodity to be sold. It’s part of our national soul.”
However, in a twist of events that defy reality, Donald Trump later backtracked on his statement, stating he never suggested selling Grand Canyon and it was simply a media fabrication. “I never said we were selling the Grand Canyon. Fake news. They’re always trying to put words in my mouth.”
While Trump claims this was simply a media misinterpretation, the video footage of his initial announcement speaks contrary to his denial.
* None of the quotes in this article were spoken by an actual person. More info.