Trump Declares Columbus Day, Surprising Press

President Trump expressed surprise at the press’s enthusiastic response during his official declaration of Columbus Day. This announcement came on a Thursday as he stood alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth while discussing pivotal peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Before diving into that topic, he made sure to take a moment to sign a document related to the historic explorer, Christopher Columbus.

“We love Italians,” he stated, a remark that seemed to resonate well with those present.

After a brief historical overview provided by Chief of Staff Will Schaaf regarding Columbus’s adventurous journey to the New World in 1492, Trump succinctly encapsulated the document with, “So we call this day Columbus Day.” To his astonishment, the press burst into applause.

One voice was heard exclaiming, “Yes!” as Trump looked around, seemingly bewildered by the reaction.

“It was the press that got the applause,” he noted, clearly taken aback. “Can you believe that? I’ve never seen anything like it. In fact, there was applause from the press.”

Later, chuckling to himself, he showcased the signed document and reiterated his well-known phrases.

“Columbus Day is back!” he declared, waving the document in the air. “Columbus Day! Italians, we’re back! Okay? We love Italians.”

The proclamation emphasized the honor we owe to Columbus’s life, faith, courage, and perseverance, marking October 13, 2025, as Columbus Day while tackling various perspectives on Columbus’s controversial legacy. The document condemned recent attempts to erase his contributions, stating that there has been a “vicious and ruthless campaign to erase our history” and vilify American heroes.

Trump criticized “left-wing extremists” who have defaced monuments to explorers and cautioned that such actions are over. He declared that Columbus would now be recognized as a genuine American hero deserving gratitude for his unwavering determination.

Interestingly, changes in federal guidance have come about since President Joe Biden’s 2021 proclamation that introduced Indigenous Peoples Day, acknowledging the historical injustices faced by Native American cultures.

Biden had previously commented on how past federal policies aimed to assimilate and displace these cultures, reaffirming the strength and resilience of Indigenous peoples in American society.

On Thursday, Trump continued to praise the significant contributions of Italian Americans to the nation’s culture, emphasizing the strong bond between the United States and Italy, which he noted is founded on shared values of faith, family, and freedom.

As a final gesture, the White House proclaimed that all public buildings would fly the American flag on Columbus Day to honor his legacy and all individuals who contributed to building the nation.