US President Donald Trump has said he still wants to personally inspect the gold stockpiles stored at Fort Knox, arguing that Americans deserve confirmation that the gold metals remain inside the heavily guarded facility.
Trump said he remains interested in opening the famous vault.
“We wanted to go and knock on the door of Fort Knox — a very thick door — and see if we had any gold there or not,” Trump said in an interview on “Full Measure with Sharyl Attkisson” that aired Sunday (May 10).
Fort Knox houses America’s massive gold reserves
Home to one of the world’s largest known gold reserves, Fort Knox has long symbolized the financial strength and security of the United States.
According to the United States Mint, the depository holds at least 147.3 million ounces — roughly 9.2 million pounds — of gold bullion.
The government officially values gold at $42.22 an ounce, putting its book value at about $6.2 billion.
However, with gold prices currently hovering near $4,700 per ounce, the market value of the reserve is estimated at $700 billion.
Musk has previously raised questions about Fort Knox
Trump’s comments come after former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) chief Elon Musk drew attention to Fort Knox last year.
Musk responded publicly after a social media user suggested he should check America’s gold reserves, fueling online speculation and renewed public interest in the vault’s contents.
The sophisticated security surrounding Fort Knox has made it one of the most famous and secretive sites in the United States.
The New York Fed holds an even bigger vault
While Fort Knox is widely recognized as America’s most famous gold depository, the largest gold vault in the United States—and the world—is located beneath the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, New York.
What is Fort Knox?
Fort Knox is one of the most heavily guarded military installations in the United States and is best known for housing a large portion of America’s gold reserves.
Located in the state of Kentucky, Fort Knox lies south of the city of Louisville and covers more than 100,000 acres. The site is operated by the US military and also features the famous US bullion depository – often simply called the “Fort Knox gold vault”.
The name “Fort Knox” has become synonymous with extreme security and protection.
Why is Fort Knox famous?
Fort Knox has gained worldwide attention because it houses thousands of tons of gold bullion belonging to the US Treasury.
The vault was built in 1936 during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt as concerns about economic instability and global conflict.
The first shipment of gold arrived in 1937 under strict military protection.
Today, Fort Knox is believed to hold around 147 million troy ounces of gold, making it one of the largest known gold deposits in the world.
The precious metals stored there are owned by the United States Treasury.
Security measures at Fort Knox
Fort Knox is known for its sophisticated security systems.
The Golden Vault is constructed with granite walls, steel plating, bulletproof doors and highly secure locking systems. Access is extremely restricted and exact security procedures are not made public.
The facility is protected by multiple layers of fencing, surveillance systems, armed guards and military personnel.
According to the US Mint, no single person knows all the procedures needed to open a vault.
The site has become a cultural symbol of impenetrable security, often referenced in movies, books, and television shows.
More than just a repository of gold
Although Fort Knox is best known for its gold reserves, it also serves as an active US military installation.
Historically, it was used for military training, armored divisions and personnel operations.
The installation currently hosts several Army commands and human resource operations.
Over the years, Fort Knox has also temporarily protected important national treasures, including original historical documents during World War II.
Can the public visit Fort Knox?
Public access to the gold vault itself is prohibited.
While parts of the surrounding military base may occasionally host public events, the precious metals depository remains closed for security reasons.
Very few civilians were allowed inside the vault, making Fort Knox one of the most classified locations in the United States.
Read also | Trump gives diplomacy ‘every chance’ before more strikes on Iran, says Waltz
