Trending Now - Trump's Graceland Visit: a Memorable Detour Amid Crises
WHO:
President Donald Trump stated, “Who doesn't love Elvis? Everybody loves Elvis, right?” during his visit.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte, White House aides Walt Nauta, Boris Epshteyn, and Natalie Harp joined Trump for the tour.
President Donald Trump
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
Attorney General Pam Bondi
Elvis Presley, the late singer and actor
WHAT:
Trump lamented, “Unfortunately, I never met Elvis, and that would be one I would have liked a lot. But I do like his music. I will say. So, thank you for inviting me, I appreciate it.”
Trump identified his favorite Elvis song as “Hurt.”
Trump is only the second sitting president to visit Graceland, following President George W. Bush's visit in 2006.
Trump took a brief private tour of Graceland, examining an Army helmet that Elvis Presley scrawled his “EP” initials on after reporting to basic training in 1958.
Trump also viewed a bread warmer in the kitchen and the den known as “the Jungle Room,” which features green shag carpet, Polynesian-style furniture, and an indoor rock waterfall.
Trump signed a replica guitar used by Presley during his “Aloha From Hawaii” concert in 1973, after being informed that Elvis had not actually played the guitar he signed.
Trump expressed curiosity about a gold phone belonging to Presley, stating, “I would like to hear some of those conversations.”
Trump questioned, “Could I have taken him in a fight?” when reflecting on Elvis, whom he lamented having never met.
Trump remarked, “Who else would be more famous than Elvis?” when discussing the potential for visitors to glimpse his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
Trump visited Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley, during an official event in Memphis.
Trump stated, “I’m going to see Graceland after this, I think. Is that right? I love Elvis.”
Trump ordered a “temporary” halt to planned strikes on Iranian power plants.
At least 13 U.S. service members have been killed in the ongoing conflict in Iran.
Graceland has ranked as the second most-visited private home in the U.S. after the White House.
Trump took a brief private tour of Graceland, examining various items including an Army helmet and a gold-plated Social Security card.
Trump signed a replica guitar used by Presley during his “Aloha From Hawaii” concert in 1973.
WHERE:
Graceland is located just a few miles from the site of the roundtable meeting in Memphis, Tennessee.
Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee
The roundtable meeting took place in Memphis, Tennessee.
WHEN:
Trump visited Graceland on March 23rd, 2026.
The visit occurred on Monday, March 23rd, 2026.
Graceland opened as a museum and tourist attraction in 1982.
Elvis Presley died in August 1977 at age 42.
WHY:
Trump's visit to Graceland occurred amid the U.S. and Israel's war with Iran and chaos at U.S. airports due to a funding impasse over the Department of Homeland Security.
Trump’s visit to Graceland served as a diversion from the ongoing war in Iran and efforts to address long lines at U.S. airports during a Homeland Security shutdown.
Trump’s visit to Graceland was a diversion from addressing the ongoing war in Iran and long lines at U.S. airports due to a Homeland Security shutdown.
HOW:
Graceland temporarily closed down to accommodate Trump's private tour.
Trump sent federal immigration officers to assist the Transportation Security Administration during the airport turmoil.
(UPDATED March 24, 2026 05:40 UTC)
On March 23, 2026, President Trump made a notable visit to Graceland, becoming only the second sitting president to do so, following George W. Bush in 2006. During the tour, Trump expressed his admiration for Elvis Presley, sharing that his favorite song is "Hurt," and lamented that he never had the chance to meet the music legend. Accompanied by Attorney General Pam Bondi and several White House aides, Trump's visit came at a time of significant turmoil in the U.S., with ongoing conflicts involving Iran and disruptions at airports due to funding issues with the Department of Homeland Security.
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(UPDATED March 24, 2026 01:43 UTC)
Today, Trump took a brief private tour of Graceland, where he examined an Army helmet that Elvis Presley had scrawled his initials on and signed a replica guitar from the iconic "Aloha From Hawaii" concert. During his visit, he expressed curiosity about a gold phone belonging to Presley and even mused about whether he could have taken Elvis in a fight, reflecting on the legend he never met. This stop in Memphis served as a diversion from the ongoing war in Iran and the challenges posed by long lines at U.S. airports during a Homeland Security shutdown.
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(UPDATED March 23, 2026 23:44 UTC)
On Monday, March 23, 2026, President Trump visited Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, where he expressed his admiration for Elvis Presley, saying, “I love Elvis,” while taking a brief private tour of the iconic home. During this visit, Trump also signed a replica guitar used by Presley in his famous “Aloha From Hawaii” concert, as he diverted attention from the ongoing conflict in Iran, where at least 13 U.S. service members have been killed. Additionally, Trump ordered a temporary halt to planned strikes on Iranian power plants, while federal immigration officers were sent to assist the TSA amid long lines at U.S. airports due to a Homeland Security shutdown.