President Donald Trump held a conversation with an AI version of Theodore Roosevelt. The meeting happened inside the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota. There, the artificial intelligence avatar of the 26th president now greets visitors.
Donald Trump meets AI avatar of Theodore Roosevelt
The AI-powered Roosevelt gave counsel to the president during the tour. “Every day a president faces storms most people never see, but if you keep your nerve and remember the nation comes first, you get through,” the avatar said. “I know you know that feeling yourself.”
Trump responded warmly to the digital statesman. “Well, I appreciate those words, those words are fantastic, and I just want to say it’s an honor to be with you today, and we are making a little bit of a tour, some of the fantastic things you’ve done.”
Soon, Donald Trump’s interaction with AI-fueled Theodore Roosevelt changed to a policy discussion. He asked the avatar whether building the Panama Canal represented Roosevelt’s greatest achievement.
The AI version replied that the canal “stands as one of my proudest battles,” adding, “I measure my greatest work by the lives improved…when I stood watching, knowing ships would pass through, I felt I left a mark that would last.” Trump responded, “You did! Thank you!”
Speaking later at the Burning Hills Amphitheatre, Trump praised Roosevelt’s character. “He had a freakin’ wild life,” Trump said. “He didn’t want to be quiet. He wanted to be great. He was an American man through and through, his chest swelled with American optimism, confidence, enthusiasm, pride.”
The president used the canal discussion to pivot toward current geopolitics. He criticised the 1977 Torrijos-Carter Treaties that transferred control of the waterway to Panama, a process completed in 1999.
“And now China’s trying to take over the Panama Canal, and we’re not going to let that happen, okay?” Trump said. “That was not part of the script because I don’t really have a script because this thing doesn’t work.”
The visit was part of kicking off celebrations for America’s 250th birthday.
Originally reported by Devanshi Basu on Mandatory.
