President Donald Trump said it's unknown why fireworks ceased at Mount Rushmore after 2009 and credited himself for the "tremendous fireworks" returning to the monument in 2020.

Calling Gov. Kristi Noem "a great person," Trump told The Hill on Monday that Noem asked him to do something about the fireworks at Mount Rushmore, which were discontinued due to concerns related to the pine beetle infestation in the Black Hills National Forest.

More:Fourth of July fireworks to return to Mount Rushmore in 2020

The answer to having fireworks at Mount Rushmore was "a very strong no" at first, but "nobody's been able to figure out why" the answer was no, and he was able to get it approved for next season, he said.

"I don't know, I think they thought... the stone was gonna catch on fire. That doesn't happen, right? There was somebody said they had," Trump told The Hill.

Noem announced in May that state and local agencies would begin planning the 2020 fireworks celebration at Mount Rushmore to ensure the fireworks display is safe for visitors. The fireworks could begin again in 2020 because the forest had revitalized, and pyrotechnic advancements have allowed for a safe fireworks display, according to Noem's announcement.

More:President Donald Trump congratulates Gov. Kristi Noem on Mount Rushmore fireworks

Noem said in May that she was grateful to Trump and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt for their help in the fireworks' return to Mount Rushmore and in return, she received a shout out from Trump, who tweeted that she and Bernhardt did "great work" on the fireworks.

Trump also told The Hill on Monday that he has a lot of respect for Mount Rushmore, but if he says he believes he should be on Mount Rushmore, "I will end up with such bad publicity."