President Donald Trump's recent suggestion to move the Declaration of Independence into the Oval Office inspired a trove of National Treasure jokes online.
White House spokesperson Steven Cheung defended Trump's request, stating that Trump wants historic documents prominently displayed ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary in 2026. The original document, housed in the National Archives, is stored in a high-security, argon-filled case designed to preserve it from light and environmental damage. When aides outlined challenges to relocating the display, Trump pivoted to obtaining a historical copy.
As news of Trump's request spread online, many compared Trump's desire to obtain the Declaration of Independence to Nicolas Cage's character in National Treasure, the 2004 film in which a secret map on the back of the Declaration leads to a hidden treasure.
"Ok who let him watch the movie National Treasure?" Reddit users asked. "Everyone knows the real Declaration of Independence has a map written in invisible ink on the backside," one user joked.
Social media users joked that Trump might be searching for hidden secrets or might even want to sign the historic document himself. "I bet he wants to sign it as well with his stupid sharpie," a Redditor wrote.
Commenters seemed to agree that the Declaration should stay protected. "It's the People's document, not just his. What a stupid idea," a critic wrote. One commenter quipped, "He's going to spill Diet Coke all over it," while another said, "Someone find Nicolas Cage to steal it for safe keeping."
"Nicolas Cage is our only hope now," a user added.
Trump's first several weeks in office have been marked by a flurry of policy changes, but he's also managed to begin work on landscape changes at the White House. Along with his request to relocate the Declaration, Trump has initiated the construction of a new ballroom and a paving project at the Rose Garden.
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