Donald Trump made remarks about Elvis Presley during a visit to the late singer’s Graceland estate that drew attention online. The U.S. president reflected on Presley’s life and abilities while touring the property.
Donald Trump talks about Elvis Presley during Graceland tour
President Donald Trump commented on Elvis Presley during a March 23 tour of Graceland in Memphis, according to USA TODAY and Newsweek, where he asked, “Was he really good?” after learning Presley had multiple black belts in karate. After being told Presley was skilled, Trump asked, “Could I have taken him in a fight?” He also said of Presley’s music, “He’s got so many, there’s very few I don’t like,” and added, “He did nothing bad.”
Trump made the visit during a trip to Memphis to discuss crime reduction efforts and said it was his first time at the estate. He toured rooms, including the “Jungle Room,” noting its carpeted ceiling and saying, “He was way before his time … carpet on the ceiling.” He also viewed items such as Presley’s final Grammy award and a belt awarded for breaking attendance records in Las Vegas.
During the tour, Trump signed a replica of a guitar associated with Presley’s 1973 Aloha From Hawaii concert and remarked that Joe Biden “couldn’t do that.” He examined Presley’s gold-plated bedside phone and said, “I’d like to hear some of those conversations.” Trump also said, “I’m a big fan of Elvis. Who isn’t?” and referred to Presley as “the most famous person on the planet.”
The visit followed a roundtable on the city’s Safe Task Force initiative. It included a guided walkthrough of the property. Graceland receives about half a million visitors annually, according to its website.
A staff member said it was only the second visit by a sitting U.S. president. The first was by George W. Bush in 2008. Trump awarded Presley the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2018.
When asked about comparisons to Mar-a-Lago, Trump said, “It’s something I could never say.” He added, “That’s a special place too.”
