President Trump reinstates Columbus Day despite years of leftist efforts to replace the holiday with Indigenous Peoples Day and remove Columbus statues nationwide.
Quick Takes
- President Trump has officially reinstated Columbus Day as a federal holiday after it was gradually replaced by Indigenous Peoples Day during previous administrations
- The President criticized Democrats for trying to “destroy” Columbus’s reputation and tear down his statues across America
- Trump’s move is part of a broader effort to fulfill campaign promises and reverse progressive cultural changes
- The White House shared a meme featuring Trump and Columbus to signal support for the announcement
- This reinstatement represents one of many rapid policy reversals in Trump’s new administration
Columbus Day Returns to Federal Calendar
President Donald Trump has announced the official reinstatement of Columbus Day as a federal holiday, fulfilling one of his campaign promises from the 2024 election. The holiday, which celebrates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492, had been gradually replaced or supplemented with Indigenous Peoples Day by various states, cities, and even federal agencies during previous administrations. President Trump’s declaration restores Columbus Day “under the same rules, dates, and locations” as it had been celebrated for decades before its diminishment.
“[he is] bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes. The Democrats did everything possible to destroy Christopher Columbus, his reputation, and all of the Italians that love him so much,” said President Donald Trump.
The decision comes amid growing cultural debates about how America remembers and celebrates historical figures. In recent years, numerous Columbus statues across the nation were removed, vandalized, or replaced following criticisms of Columbus’s treatment of indigenous peoples. The White House has already signaled strong support for the reinstatement by sharing a meme featuring President Trump alongside Christopher Columbus, visually connecting the President’s administration with the explorer’s legacy.
Cultural Battle Over American History
President Trump specifically addressed the removal of Columbus statues in his announcement, criticizing what he characterized as an attempt to erase American history. “They tore down his Statues, and put up nothing but ‘WOKE,’ or even worse, nothing at all!” the President noted in his statement. Trump’s move to restore Columbus Day aligns with his broader campaign theme of protecting traditional American values and symbols from what he has described as efforts to rewrite or diminish national history.
“Well, you’ll be happy to know, Christopher is going to make a major comeback. I am hereby reinstating Columbus Day under the same rules, dates, and locations, as it has had for all of the many decades before,” said President Trump.
The reinstatement appears particularly meaningful to Italian-American voters, many of whom view Columbus Day as a celebration of Italian heritage and contributions to American society. Some political analysts suggest this move may strengthen Trump’s support among this demographic in key states. Critics of the decision argue that Indigenous Peoples Day offered a more complete understanding of America’s complex colonial history and the impact on native populations.
Part of Broader Policy Reversals
The Columbus Day reinstatement is just one of numerous rapid policy changes implemented by President Trump since taking office in January 2025. His administration has moved quickly to fulfill campaign promises and reverse policies of previous administrations. Trump has already rescinded various climate change initiatives, opened more federal land for oil drilling, dismantled federal diversity programs, and implemented stricter immigration enforcement at the southern border.
The administration has also made symbolic changes to national landmarks, including reverting Mount Denali’s name to Mount McKinley. Federal agencies have been directed to recognize only two genders—male and female—in government documents and policies. Several career officials considered part of what Trump termed the “deep state” during his campaign have been dismissed from their positions. These swift actions demonstrate the President’s determination to implement his agenda without delay following his election victory.
Sources:
- Leftists Will Be Triggered by Trump Saying He Is Bringing Back a Cherished US Holiday – RedState
- Here’s How President Trump Shifted Policy in His First Week
