President Trump stated on Sunday that he would not follow his predecessor’s approach of acknowledging Indigenous Peoples Day alongside Columbus Day in October. He criticized Democrats for tarnishing the legacy of Christopher Columbus and reaffirmed his commitment to restoring what he considers traditional American symbols. President Biden was the first to officially observe Indigenous Peoples Day, signing a proclamation in 2021 that honored the contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples while acknowledging America’s failure to fully uphold its promise of equality. In response, Trump posted on social media, claiming, “I’m bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes,” and accused Democrats of attempting to damage Columbus’ reputation and the image of Italians who celebrate him. He declared that Columbus Day would be reinstated “under the same rules, dates, and locations” it had for many decades.
Although Columbus Day remained a federal holiday under Biden, it was also recognized as Indigenous Peoples Day in many places. The Biden administration’s shift to recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day aligns with activist efforts to highlight the negative impacts of Columbus’ arrival on Indigenous communities.
Several states and cities, including Columbus, Ohio, and Los Angeles, had already begun prioritizing Indigenous Peoples Day over Columbus Day before Biden’s official proclamation. However, New York, where both holidays are recognized, still celebrates the nation’s largest Columbus Day parade.
Trump has consistently opposed the framing of American history through a diversity and oppression lens.
Columbus, whose voyages did not reach the North American continent, became widely celebrated in the U.S. due to the large influx of Italian immigrants and political efforts to garner their support. Columbus Day, first celebrated in 1892, became a national holiday in 1934 under Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Trump has long criticized the removal of Columbus statues, a movement that gained momentum during protests in 2020. Many Columbus statues across the country were defaced or taken down, particularly after the protests against police brutality sparked by the death of George Floyd. Trump, during his presidency, funded the restoration of a Columbus statue in Baltimore, which had been thrown into the harbor during those protests.
