<p id=”par-1_39″>Donald Trump and Muhammad Ali are not <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/celebrity/”>celebrities</a> one would associate with each other. However, Trump wants to memorialize Ali with a statue and designate him <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/who-ranked-higher-on-greatest-american-oprah-or-elvis-presley.html/”>a “national hero.”</a> His wife seems to have conflicting feelings on the matter.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-donald-trump-wants-to-honor-muhammad-ali-in-a-way-that-would-offend-him”>Donald Trump wants to honor Muhammad Ali in a way that would offend him</h2>
<p id=”par-2_65″>According to <a href=”https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/5133023-trump-revives-plans-for-statue-garden-featuring-250-american-heroes-who-would-be-included/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>The Hill</a>, Trump announced that his administration is creating a statue garden called the <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/donald-trump-making-statue-famous-singer-daughter-cant-stand.html/”>National Garden of American Heroes</a>. It is set to include depictions of presidents, activists, soldiers, inventors, and even a handful of pop culture icons. It might be the first statue garden to memorialize George Washington and Dr. Seuss, Rosa Parks <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/celine-dions-because-you-loved-me-supposed-sound-like-1-whitney-houston-song.html/?swcfpc=1″>and Whitney Houston</a>, and Harriet Tubman <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/billie-eilish-prefers-the-beatles-songs-elvis-presleys.html/”>and Elvis Presley</a>. </p>
<p id=”par-3_75″>Trump has said he wants a statue of Ali in the National Garden of American Heroes. Ali is an interesting choice. He initially became famous for his prowess as a boxer, but he also made headlines for his activism for civil rights and his opposition to the Vietnam War. He’s one of the rare figures in American culture who is just as revered for being an athlete as he is for his human rights advocacy. </p>
<p id=”par-4_52″>Trump’s proposed statue might sound like a compliment, but Ali was one of the 20th century’s most famous Muslim celebrities, and Islam has strict prohibitions against idolatry. A statue of Ali could be understood as an idol. According to a 2025 <a href=”https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2025/02/23/trump-wants-muhammad-ali-statue-in-national-garden-of-american-heroes/79435615007/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Courier Journal</a> article, Ali’s widow, Lonnie Ali, diplomatically condemned Trump’s plan.</p>
<p id=”par-5_73″>“President Trump has been a long-time admirer of Muhammad, and I am pleased that admiration continues,” she said. “I appreciate President Trump’s proposal to honor Muhammad along with other American heroes in a statue garden. A statue erected in Muhammad’s honor would not be in accordance with his Islamic teachings. I am grateful for the President’s desire to commemorate Muhammad’s life and legacy as an American hero, a humanitarian who loved all people.”</p>
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<iframe title=”Muhammad Ali Gives His Stance On The Vietnam War | The Dick Cavett Show” width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/hxuqSzE2mB0?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-how-donald-trump-could-respond-to-this”>How Donald Trump could respond to this</h2>
<p id=”par-6_50″>So, what happens now? It’s entirely possible that Trump might withdraw his out of respect for Ali’s family. After all, there are many other boxers worth honoring, including Jack Johnson and Sonny Liston. In addition, there are many civil rights activists whose families would not take issue with a statue.</p>
<p id=”par-7_48″>So far, Trump has not acknowledged Lonnie’s comments, if he is aware of them. If the statue is erected, Ali’s fans might not have the kindest reaction to it. We can only imagine what might happen if the families of other famous Americans do not appreciate these tributes.</p>
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<iframe loading=”lazy” title=”Donald Trump says there will be a statue of Kobe Bryant in National Garden of American Heroes” width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/EIv99Q2rlBA?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<div class=”related-article related-article–simple”>
<span class=”related-article-flag”>Related</span>
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Why Paul McCartney Joked Barack Obama Would Punch Him Out </a>
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<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-some-places-do-have-statues-of-muhammad-ali”>Some places do have statues of Muhammad Ali</h2>
<p id=”par-8_67″>The Muhammad Ali Center ran into a similar issue when they wanted to memorialize Ali while respecting his faith. During a 2024 interview with the <a href=”https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2024/05/23/muhammad-ali-likely-wont-have-a-statue-in-louisville-heres-why/73614968007/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Courier Journal</a>, a spokesperson for the Muhammad Ali Center said “The religion of Islam forbids idolatry, and out of respect of Ali and his family’s religious beliefs, the Center cannot endorse depictions of Muhammad Ali that may be perceived as an idol.”</p>
<p id=”par-9_44″>However, others have taken the opposite approach. There are currently statues of Ali in Liverpool and Philadelphia. On top of that, there are numerous action figures of the boxer. No matter what decision Trump makes on this subject, someone is bound to be disappointed.</p>