Trump Celebrates Columbus Day at the White House

President Donald Trump held a White House event on October 9, 2026, to honor Italian explorer Christopher Columbus in anticipation of Columbus Day.

As part of the celebration, Christopher Macchio, a tenor, kicked off the festivities by singing the National Anthem. Trump also invited him to conclude the event with renditions of “Ave Maria” and “Nessun dorma.”

According to a White House statement, “Today, we reaffirm that Christopher Columbus is a legend whose vision, fortitude, and perseverance unleashed a dynamic of history that led to the creation of the greatest, freest, and most just Nation in history. We are forever indebted to his courageous voyage, and we will never allow his legacy to be erased by radical extremists.”

Trump expressed his belief that his support for Columbus resonates with Italian-American voters. He noted that he had “resurrected” the explorer’s legacy at a time when public sentiment was shifting towards celebrating “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” instead of Columbus Day.

“Earlier this year, I was proud to install a statue of Christopher Columbus on the White House grounds — an exact replica of the statue that stood for more than three decades in Baltimore, Maryland, from its dedication by President Ronald Reagan in October 1984 until rioters tore it down and threw it into Baltimore Harbor on July 4, 2020,” the president stated. “Now placed at the White House, this magnificent monument stands as a testament to the resilient legacy of one of history’s greatest heroes.”

Continuing, he stated, “Columbus Day also holds special significance for our incredible Italian-American citizens. Like Columbus, they have embodied a steadfast love of country and faith in God, and they continue to strengthen our communities and propel our country to even greater heights.”

The newly erected statue is located on the north side of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building next to the White House. It is 13 feet tall, weighs one ton, and was crafted using fragments from the original statue in Baltimore.

“Everyone loves it. … I would love to tell you that I fight every day to keep that statue there,” Trump remarked, emphasizing a renewed respect for Columbus during his second term, in contrast to the previous administration’s view.

“These are different days, now. … We protect [Abraham] Lincoln, we protect [George] Washington, we protect Thomas Jefferson,” Trump added.