During a recent visit to Memphis, President Donald Trump expressed his admiration for Elvis Presley, even joking about fabricating a story of having met the iconic musician. Although Trump and Presley never met, the President shared his fondness for the legendary artist.

Addressing a gathering of law enforcement officers and National Guard troops in Tennessee, Trump praised the efforts of the Memphis Safe Task Force for their success in reducing crime rates in the city.

In his address, Trump mentioned his plans to visit Graceland, the famous residence of Elvis Presley, located just a short distance from downtown Memphis.

“I’m going to see Graceland after this,” Trump stated. “I love Elvis. I never met Elvis. Everyone asks, ‘Did you?'”

He added, “I met [Frank] Sinatra. I knew many of them. But I never met Elvis. Sometimes I think I should tell a little fib and say I did.”

Following his speech, Trump toured Graceland with a select group of staff and guides. During the visit, some employees requested that he autograph a replica of a guitar used by Elvis in 1973, an act Trump described as a “great honor.”

‘I’ve never been here before, this is my first time, I’m a big fan of Elvis! Who isn’t?’ Trump said while touring the home.  

The President has played the ‘King’s’ music at his rallies and expressed a fond admiration for the rock star born in Tupelo, Mississippi. Trump has even noted how people have told him he looks like Elvis. 

President Donald Trump signs a replica of a guitar Elvis Presley used in 1973

President Donald Trump gestures to the Medal of Freedom that he awarded posthumously to Elvis Presley in 2018 as he visits Graceland, the estate of Elvis Presley, in Memphis, Tennessee on March 23, 2026

Trump tours the Graceland kitchen with AG Pam Bondi close behind

President Donald Trump, a major Elvis fan, joked at a Memphis Safe Task Force event before the Graceland tour that he should ‘fib’ about meeting the rock and roller despite the pair never crossing paths

Rock and roll singer Elvis Presley strolls the grounds of his Graceland estate in circa 1957

‘Other than the blonde hair, when I was growing up they said I looked like Elvis… great compliment,’ Trump said at a 2018 event in Tupelo. 

That same year, after awarding Elvis the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously, the President said he once attended one of the rock and roller’s concerts. 

Later in 2024, Trump posted a picture of his face split with Presley’s, writing: ‘For so many years people have been saying that Elvis and I look alike. Now this pic has been going all over the place. What do you think?’

Trump campaign events have typically featured some of Presley’s most iconic songs, including ‘Suspicious Minds,’ ‘If I Can Dream,’ and ‘An American Trilogy.’ 

Graceland, the nearly 18,000-square-foot Colonial Revival mansion Presley purchased in March 1957 for just over $100,000, now serves as a tourist hotspot that receives around 600,000 annual visitors. 

The 13-acre property is now estimated to be worth between $400 to $500 million due to its cultural significance and tourist revenue. 

The Memphis Safe Task Force event featured several top Trump administration officials including Attorney General Pam Bondi, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, FBI Director Kash Patel, advisor Stephen Miller, Immigration and Customs Enforcement boss Todd Lyons, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and local task force leadership.  

The crowd consisted of scores of National Guard troops that have been deployed to the city to combat crime since Trump directed them to the city in September 2025. 

The Graceland mansion hosts around 600,000 tourists annually

The mansion is roughly 18,000-square-feet and sits on 13 acres

Trump has long said that he gets told he looks like Elvis. The Republican posted the picture above to prove his point, asking his millions of followers, ‘What do you think?’

According to local law enforcement data, crime has plummeted 43 percent compared to last year. 

The task force’s leadership said at the event that it has made 7,000 arrests and seized nearly 1,100 firearms since the task force began.