From 'the man's a moron' to 'the idea seems good' — Alcatraz tourists divided over Trump's plan

Tourists from around the world visiting Alcatraz on Monday were divided over Trump's idea to house dangerous criminals in the defunct penitentiary, which currently functions as a national park and museum drawing 1.6 million visitors annually.

Aerial view of Alcatraz Island and abandoned prison buildings (Photo: Getty Images)

"The man's a moron," said Chris Smith from the UK. "Surely there's plenty of land in America to build more prisons."

Others, however, saw potential in the proposal. "The idea itself seems good," said Rob Kraemer from Minnesota.

"You need a place for the worst of the worst. Do the cost analysis and draw conclusions then."

Kraemer and his wife noted that while tourism jobs might be lost, they could be offset by employment in construction and prison operations.

A historic site or a security solution?

Trump, in a recent social media post, called for a "substantially enlarged and rebuilt Alcatraz" to hold what he described as "the dregs of society."

Critics argue the facility, closed in 1963 for being too costly to run, lacks basic infrastructure and would be prohibitively expensive to restore.

Inside the main cellblock of Alcatraz prison (Photo: Getty Images)

"It would be financially irresponsible," said Tolu Ogundele, a student from Georgia. "It's not a humane place to keep people."

Some visitors acknowledged the island's infamous security and isolation might be effective, but others, like Brazilian tourist Bruno Tavares, were skeptical: "He can't be serious about that. It's a joke. These are different times now."

As debates continue over Trump's bold proposal, many wonder whether America is ready to turn a historic symbol of incarceration back into a functioning prison once again.