Donald Trump just dropped another bright idea on his platform, Truth Social and it’s got folks raising eyebrows.
In case you missed it, the president says he’s looking to possibly order the government to rebuild and reopen Alcatraz. That’s right… the legendary prison built on a lonely island in the middle of the San Francisco Bay. For those who don’t know, Alcatraz was once home to some of the most feared criminals in U.S. history, including Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, and James “Whitey” Bulger.
What Made Alcatraz So Infamous?
This place wasn’t your regular prison. Alcatraz, also known as “The Rock,” opened in 1934 and quickly earned a rep as the end of the line. If you got sent there, it meant you were a problem even inside the prison system. It had a strict daily routine, tiny cells, no privacy, and freezing cold waters surrounding it; which made escape nearly impossible. Still, that didn’t stop prisoners from trying. Over the years, there were 14 known escape attempts involving 36 inmates.
The most famous one? The 1962 breakout, which inspired the movie Escape from Alcatraz. To this day, those escapees were never found and are either presumed drowned or on the run.
The prison officially shut down in 1963 due to high operating costs and deteriorating infrastructure. Since then, Alcatraz has been a national park and a top tourist destination, drawing over a million visitors a year.
Trump’s Wild Plan to Bring Alcatraz Back
But now, Trump wants to turn back the clock.
In his post, he wrote:
“REBUILD, AND OPEN ALCATRAZ! For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering. When we were a more serious Nation, in times past, we did not hesitate to lock up the most dangerous criminals, and keep them far away from anyone they could harm. That’s the way it’s supposed to be.”
He continued:
“No longer will we tolerate these Serial Offenders who spread filth, bloodshed, and mayhem on our streets. That is why, today, I am directing the Bureau of Prisons, together with the Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security, to reopen a substantially enlarged and rebuilt ALCATRAZ, to house America’s most ruthless and violent Offenders. We will no longer be held hostage to criminals, thugs, and Judges that are afraid to do their job and allow us to remove criminals, who came into our Country illegally. The reopening of ALCATRAZ will serve as a symbol of Law, Order, and JUSTICE. We will, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Why This Alcatraz Revival Has Folks Talking
Now, people are wondering… how realistic is this plan?
Rebuilding Alcatraz would be a massive operation. The original prison wasn’t built to today’s correctional standards, and it sits on an island constantly battered by ocean waves and salt air. Experts have said the building is way too deteriorated for re-use, even as a museum, let alone a maximum-security prison.
More On Alcatraz’s Legacy
Since its closure, the island has become a museum run by the National Park Service. Visitors tour old cells, see where escape attempts went down, and learn about life behind bars. The audio tour even includes stories from former guards and inmates.
Whew!
Socialites, how do you feel about it this idea? Let us know in the comment box below!
