Trump unveils new Christopher Columbus statue at White House on Columbus Day

President Donald Trump unveiled a 13‑foot marble statue of Christopher Columbus on the White House grounds during a Columbus Day ceremony on Oct. 9, 2026.

The event, held in the East Room, featured a performance of the National Anthem by opera singer Christopher Macchio, followed by renditions of “Ave Maria” and “Nessun dorma.” Trump framed the unveiling as a celebration of Italian‑American contributions and a reaffirmation of the explorer’s place in American history, aiming to solidify support among a key voter demographic.

“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,” the White House statement read. “We are forever indebted to his courageous voyage, and we will never allow his legacy to be erased by radical extremists.”

According to the administration, the new monument is a replica of the statue that stood in Baltimore, Maryland, from its 1984 dedication by President Ronald Reagan until it was toppled and tossed into the harbor in July 2020. Fragments of the original marble were reclaimed and reassembled to create a “magnificent monument” that now rests on the north side of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building adjacent to the White House. The statue weighs roughly one ton.

Trump asserted that the revival of Columbus symbolism was intended to resonate with Italian‑American citizens, noting, “Like Columbus, they have embodied a steadfast love of country and faith in God, and they continue to strengthen our communities.” He added that the statue’s presence reflects a shift from the previous administration’s support for “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” back to the traditional Columbus Day observance.

Security officials confirmed the monument will remain in place through the remainder of the term, and no immediate plans for relocation were announced. Critics of the statue’s symbolism have continued to voice opposition, but the administration emphasized its commitment to preserving historical monuments alongside other iconic figures such as Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson.

As the celebration concluded, Trump hinted that future events will continue to honor the nation’s founding narratives, positioning the new statue as a focal point for upcoming heritage ceremonies.