Trump Vows to “Bring Columbus Day Back from the Ashes,” Slams Democrats for “Destroying” Explorer’s Legacy

Donald Trump on Sunday declared he would be “bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes,” doubling down on his support for the controversial holiday honoring explorer Christopher Columbus.

“I’m bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes,” Trump wrote in a fiery Truth Social post. “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! 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!” Trump added.

While Columbus Day remains a federally recognized holiday, progressive critics have pushed for it to be replaced by Indigenous Peoples’ Day, citing Columbus’ role in the mistreatment of Native American tribes. Former President Joe Biden, though the first to officially commemorate Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2021, also continued to recognize Columbus Day during his presidency.

In Washington, D.C., and more than a dozen states, Indigenous Peoples’ Day is now acknowledged, sometimes alongside Columbus Day. Columbus Day has been a national holiday since 1937, following strong lobbying efforts from groups like the Knights of Columbus.