President Donald Trump announces plan to restore Columbus Day as national holiday
Donald Trump announces the revival of Columbus Day, reigniting the debate over its historical significance and sparking a clash between heritage and indigenous rights in America.
President Donald Trump announced his intention to restore Columbus Day to its former prominence, criticizing Democrats for undermining the explorer's legacy. He claimed that efforts to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day had diminished the holiday's significance and disrespected the Italian-American community. Trump's statement was made via a post on Truth Social, where he declared, "I'm bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes."
The push to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day gained momentum during the Biden administration. In 2021, President Joe Biden became the first U.S. president to officially recognize Indigenous Peoples Day, celebrating the contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples while acknowledging historical injustices.
Despite the federal recognition of Columbus Day, over 200 U.S. cities and several states have adopted Indigenous Peoples Day, particularly since 2020. This shift reflects ongoing debates about the legacy of Christopher Columbus and the treatment of Indigenous populations.
Trump's remarks have sparked criticism from activists and some political figures who view Columbus Day as a symbol of colonial oppression. They argue that reinstating the holiday without acknowledging Indigenous Peoples Day overlooks the historical and ongoing struggles of Native communities.
Supporters of Columbus Day, including various Italian-American organizations, have welcomed Trump's pledge, viewing it as a restoration of a holiday that honors their heritage. They contend that the holiday has been unjustly targeted and should be celebrated without the addition of Indigenous Peoples Day.
Trump declares on Truth Social his intention to restore Columbus Day, calling it a vital celebration of American heritage and Italian-American contributions. Photo: Truth Social
As the debate continues, the future of Columbus Day remains uncertain. While the holiday is federally recognized, its observance varies across states and communities, reflecting the complex and evolving discourse surrounding its commemoration.
Trump defends Columbus statues, highlights efforts to restore vandalized monuments during protests
Trump has consistently voiced his disapproval of what he sees as an attack on historical monuments, particularly the statues of Christopher Columbus. He reiterated this concern in a post on Sunday, continuing his long-standing criticism of efforts by Democrats to remove or vandalize these monuments. One of the earliest instances of his public opposition came in 2017 when he condemned New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s decision to review the status of the Columbus statue in Columbus Circle. Despite the review, the statue remains intact to this day, although other statues have not been so fortunate.
During the height of the protests in 2020, sparked by the police killing of George Floyd, Trump’s administration took a proactive stance in preserving monuments. In a notable move, the administration funded the restoration of a Columbus statue in Baltimore that had been thrown into the harbor by protestors. This act of preservation was part of a broader effort to protect what Trump and his supporters consider integral symbols of American heritage.