Trump Honors Columbus with Proclamation

During a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, President Trump began by signing a proclamation honoring the famed Italian explorer, Christopher Columbus. He declared, “Italians, we are back.”

There’s ongoing discussion about celebrating October 13 as Columbus Day, even as many states and cities push to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day instead of honoring the man historically credited with discovering America.

After his proclamation, Trump reiterated, “Columbus Day – Italian people, we are back.”

“We love Italians,” he added, emphasizing his sentiments.

Trump’s proclamation stated, “From now on, our nation will abide by a simple truth: Christopher Columbus was a true American hero, and all of our people are forever grateful for his relentless determination.”

Prior to the proclamation, White House Chief of Staff Will Schaaf highlighted that Columbus Day, a federal holiday since 1971, holds special significance for Italian Americans who celebrate the legacy and spirit of exploration represented by Columbus.

Trump summarized this by quipping, “In other words, we call this day Columbus Day.”

His comments were met with applause from administration members and, reportedly, from some press members. Trump remarked, “It was the press that got the applause. I’ve never seen that happen.”

He noted, “Actually, there was applause from the press. It was good.”

Columbus has become a controversial figure over the years, spurring many places to adopt Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead.

Trump emphasized in his proclamation that “Christopher Columbus was a true American hero, and all of our people are forever indebted to his tireless determination.”

In 2021, former President Joe Biden made history by declaring Indigenous Peoples Day, aiming to shift the focus of the October holiday during his tenure.

Critics argue against Columbus Day, suggesting that Columbus was not the first European to reach the Americas and highlighting the negative impact of European colonization on Native American lives and traditions. They believe Columbus should not be celebrated.

In his proclamation, Trump stated, “Remarkably, in recent years, Christopher Columbus has become a prime target of a vicious and ruthless campaign to erase our nation’s history, denigrate our hero, and attack our nation’s traditions. Right in front of our eyes, left-wing extremists toppled his statues, destroyed his monuments, defaced his character, and tried to remove him from our public spaces.”

He concluded by asserting, “Under my leadership, that era has finally ended, and our nation will now stand by a simple truth: Christopher Columbus was a true American hero, and all of our citizens are forever grateful for his relentless determination.”