Trump hits tourists with bombshell new tax to visit America's most popular destinations
The additional revenue generated by higher fees from foreign tourists will raise hundreds of millions of dollars for conservation and deferred maintenance projects to improve national parks, the White House said in a statement.
Trump spoke about the change at his wild rally at the Iowa State Fair Thursday, meant to serve as an introduction to his celebration of America's 250th anniversary.
'To fund improvements and enhanced experiences across the park system, I've just signed an executive order to raise entrance fees for foreign tourists while keeping prices low for Americans,' he said.
'The national parks will be about America first.'
The executive order directs the Interior Department, parent agency of the Park Service, to increase entrance fees paid by park visitors from abroad, but does not say by how much or when the rates would go into effect.
It also directs the Park Service to ensure that U.S. residents receive priority access over foreign visitors in any of its permitting or reservation systems.
'It is the policy of my Administration to preserve these opportunities for American families in future generations by increasing entry fees for foreign tourists, improving affordability for United States residents, and expanding opportunities to enjoy America's splendid national treasures,' Trump wrote.
Trump also revoked a 2017 memorandum from Barack Obama that promoted diversity in the parks service.
Currently, U.S. citizens in effect pay more than foreign tourists to visit the nation's scenic natural wonders and historic landmarks because their admissions fees and a portion of their U.S. tax dollars support the cost of national parks, the statement said.
The executive order comes as the Trump administration has proposed cutting more than $1billion from the Park Service budget in fiscal 2026, which would represent a reduction of more than a third of the agency's budget from the prior year.
The administration's cuts to the federal workforce have already aggravated a staff shortage in national parks across the country.
It was one of the announcements as Trump took a victory lap after Congress passed his 'Big Beautiful Bill' Thursday night in Iowa, where he pledged to give the United States a big, beautiful birthday.
A year from Friday, the United States will turn 250 years old, and Trump's stop at the Iowa State Fairgrounds kicked off the 'America 250' celebration, with events planned all year leading up to July 4, 2026.
During his remarks he recalled how he had promised Iowans - ahead of the all-important Iowa caucuses - that he would kick off America's birthday in the Hawkeye State if he was elected again.
'Two years ago I came to Iowa and promised that the festivities would begin right here at the Iowa State Fairgrounds and tonight here I am, OK?' Trump said. 'Promises kept.'
The crowd cheered.
'There could be no better birthday present for America than the phenomenal victory we achieved just hours ago when Congress passed the one Big, Beautiful Bill to make America Great Again,' Trump said.
Earlier Thursday, the president achieved his biggest domestic win of his second term thus far, with the narrow GOP-controlled House of Representatives passing the massive legislative package that includes the top Trump agenda items.
Trump had pushed lawmakers to deliver the bill to him by July Fourth.
The president will sign the bill around 5 p.m. ET on Friday, amid the White House's Fourth of July festivities, including flyovers with B-2 bombers, which were used in the recent aerial strike of Iran.
Ten days from now, Trump will also mark the anniversary of the Butler, Pennsylvania rally where he nearly was assassinated last year on the campaign trail.
He calmed the crowd and then cracked a joke when a loud popping noise could be heard during his speech Thursday night.
'It's only fireworks, I hope. Famous last words, my famous last words. Trump said: "Don't worry, it's only fireworks,"' the president laughed. 'You always have to think positive. I didn't like that sound either.'
Someone in the crowd could be heard yelling back at the president what he had popped up and said once the bullet whizzed by his ear.
'Fight, fight, fight!' the attendee said.
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