Presidential libraries typically aim to celebrate achievements while downplaying failures. Donald Trump and his family believe that Florida officials have provided a prime opportunity to achieve this with his presidential library.
However, the chosen location may instead serve as a permanent reminder of how Trump’s presidency challenged and disrupted fundamental American values of freedom and democracy.
Without public discussion or commentary, Governor Ron DeSantis and three other Republican members of the Florida Cabinet unanimously voted to donate 2.63 acres of land owned by Miami-Dade College to the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation.
The library’s site is in Miami-Dade County, rather than near Trump’s home in Palm Beach, and is situated next to the iconic Freedom Tower, a symbol of liberty and democracy in a city that thrives on Latin American immigration. Visitors to both the Freedom Tower and the Trump library will likely notice that the two structures represent conflicting values.
Both DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier, credited with facilitating this deal, should have recognized the irony of the situation. For Miami—a city built by immigrants—the juxtaposition is stark.
The Freedom Tower gained its name as it hosted the Cuban Refugee Center, where countless Cubans sought refuge from communism during the Cold War. In contrast, Trump’s presidency has been associated with the illegal detention of U.S. citizens, deportation of legal immigrants—including Miami’s Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans—and increased harassment based on ethnicity.
Florida Republican officials have supported these policies, meaning the land donated to Trump will stand as a testament to being on the wrong side of history.
Another irony lies in the tower’s past as it once served as the headquarters for the Miami Daily News, a symbol of independent journalism. The building transitioned into the Cuban Refugee Center in the 1960s, providing essential aid to those starting anew in the U.S.
Now, Trump, known for labeling journalism as “fake news” and calling reporters “the enemy of the people,” plans to finance his library using settlement funds he acquired from lawsuits against media companies. This location, once a beacon of free speech, will now sit next to Trump’s library—a monument associated with a presidency that targeted dissent.
Such contradictions pose a challenge to any presidential legacy, particularly for one that disregards historical facts and constitutional rights. Trump, however, is attuned to profit. Reports suggest that his son, Eric Trump, is exploring plans to incorporate a hotel into the library site—marking a potential first for presidential libraries.
The commercial aspect may include retail spaces selling MAGA merchandise, a cryptocurrency-accepting casino, or a steakhouse with a unique culinary style. Speculation also surrounds what artifacts might be included in the library, with Trump expressing interest in featuring elements like a section of the U.S.-Mexico border wall and a replica of the gold-plated Oval Office.
While the library might be troubling for historians, the site itself holds significant commercial promise. Located near the city center on Biscayne Bay, the land is valued by county appraisers at approximately $67 million, with market estimates ranging from $200 million to $300 million, according to a local developer.
Trump reportedly reviewed various South Florida sites, including universities, before settling quietly on the Miami-Dade College location, a decision influenced by key team members including Eric Trump and developer Steve Wickoff.
After the Cabinet vote, Eric Trump announced that the building “will be visible for miles into the Atlantic, a bold landmark on Miami’s skyline.” Ultimately, this decision may be seen as a miscalculation or an affront to the American history that Miami holds dear. The Trumps appear indifferent to the glaring discrepancies surrounding their choice.
