Trump Vows to “Bring Back” Columbus Day

Trump Pledges to Restore Traditional Columbus Day Celebrations

President Donald Trump has vowed to revive Columbus Day “from the ashes,” doubling down on his promise to celebrate the controversial European explorer despite rising opposition from progressives and Indigenous groups. In a fiery post on Truth Social, Trump accused Democrats and activists of trying to erase American traditions and marginalize the contributions of Italian Americans.

“I’m bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes,” Trump wrote. “The Democrats did everything possible to destroy Christopher Columbus, his reputation, and all of the Italians that love him so much. They tore down his statues, and put up nothing but ‘WOKE,’ or even worse, nothing at all!”

https://t.co/5kJ7UMHbA7 https://t.co/yQBE30LoZG

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 27, 2025

Columbus Day, established as a federal holiday in 1937, commemorates Columbus’s 1492 voyage that connected Europe to the Americas. But historians and Indigenous leaders have increasingly emphasized that Columbus’s arrival marked the beginning of centuries of violence, enslavement, and genocide against Native populations — sparking a nationwide shift toward recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead.

A Culture War Over Historical Memory

Trump’s defense of Columbus Day fits into a broader culture war narrative he has repeatedly pushed, portraying efforts to diversify historical education as attacks on American heritage. Critics argue Trump’s approach favors a sanitized version of history that uplifts white European figures while ignoring or downplaying the experiences and contributions of Black Americans, Indigenous peoples, and other marginalized groups.

Throughout his presidency and beyond, Trump has criticized movements like Black Lives Matter and efforts to incorporate more Black and Indigenous history into school curricula, labeling them “divisive” and “unpatriotic.” His push to restore Columbus Day underlines a larger battle over how America’s story is told — and whose stories are prioritized.

Trump Officially “Reinstates” Columbus Day

According to the New York Post, Trump declared, “I am hereby reinstating Columbus Day under the same rules, dates, and locations, as it has had for all of the many decades before!” His statement signals a commitment to aggressively protect traditional celebrations of figures like Columbus, despite mounting scholarly evidence detailing the atrocities tied to his expeditions.

This move reflects Trump’s larger goal of restoring what he views as a proud American tradition, even as public opinion continues to shift. Across the country, many cities and states have renamed the holiday Indigenous Peoples’ Day or have stopped recognizing Columbus Day altogether.

The Divided Legacy of Columbus Day

The controversy over Columbus Day represents a much deeper, ongoing national reckoning over how the country remembers its past. While many Italian Americans view Columbus as a symbol of ethnic pride and immigrant success, others argue that lifting up Columbus without acknowledging the brutal consequences of colonization perpetuates historical amnesia.

Trump’s vow to revive Columbus Day underscores just how politically — and racially — charged the debate over monuments, holidays, and historical memory has become. As America continues to grapple with its complex past, the fight over how and what the nation chooses to celebrate remains far from over.