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On Thursday, Donald Trump signed a presidential proclamation paying tribute to Christopher Columbus — just four days before the federal holiday celebrating the Italian navigator — while notably omitting the Indigenous Peoples’ Day observance introduced by his Democratic predecessor.
“Columbus Day — we’re back… We love Italians,” the U.S. president declared before signing the proclamation for the holiday, which will be observed on Monday.
Columbus Under Fire
Former Democratic president Joe Biden made history in 2021 by becoming the first U.S. leader to establish Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the same date as Columbus Day, honoring Native communities alongside the controversial explorer.
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Trump, however, has scrapped that recognition. In his proclamation, he denounced what he called the “radical left-wing arsonists who have sought to destroy the name and dishonor the memory” of Columbus.
Christopher Columbus — who landed in 1492 on one of the islands that are now part of the Bahamas — has long been criticized for the atrocities committed against Indigenous peoples and for triggering a violent era of colonization that followed his voyage.
Despite this, his legacy remains widely celebrated across the United States, especially among Italian Americans, and Congress officially established Columbus Day as a federal holiday in 1968.
Trump’s Crusade Against “Wokeism”
Since returning to power in January, Trump has launched a sweeping campaign against what he calls the “woke” policies of the previous administration — initiatives aimed at promoting minority rights and marginalized groups. He argues these policies distort American history and national identity.
As part of this agenda, Trump has even asked the Justice Department to investigate museums that, in his view, promote this ideology — particularly those highlighting the history of slavery and systemic racism.
While Trump declined to honor Indigenous peoples with a parallel holiday alongside Columbus Day, he did sign another proclamation on Thursday: October 9, 2025, will be recognized as “Leif Erikson Day,” celebrating the legendary Norse Viking explorer and honoring Americans of Nordic descent.
