Trump Administration Installs Christopher Columbus Statue on White House Grounds

The 13-foot statue is a replica of one toppled in Baltimore during 2020 racial justice protests.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 1:09am

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The Trump administration has installed a statue of Christopher Columbus on the White House grounds, the latest effort to restore controversial historical monuments removed during the 2020 racial justice protests. The 13-foot statue is a replica of one that was toppled in Baltimore's harbor. The White House praised Columbus as an 'American hero' and said the statue will honor his legacy for generations.

Why it matters

The installation of the Columbus statue is part of the Trump administration's broader push to bring back statues that were removed across the country in the wake of the 2020 protests over the murder of George Floyd. Critics have long condemned Columbus as a symbol of European colonization and the mistreatment of indigenous peoples.

The details

The new statue was erected outside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House grounds over the weekend. It was installed with the help of the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations, which praised Columbus as a source of 'pride and cultural identity' for Italian Americans. The White House said the statue will ensure Columbus is 'honored as a hero' for generations.

  • The statue was installed over the weekend of March 21-22, 2026.
  • The original Columbus statue was toppled in Baltimore during racial justice protests in 2020.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who praised the installation of the Columbus statue and said he will ensure the explorer is 'honored as a hero' for generations.

Basil Russo

The president of the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations, which worked with the White House to bring the Columbus statue to Washington.

Davis Ingle

A White House spokesperson who said in a statement that 'in this White House, Christopher Columbus is a hero.'

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What they’re saying

“Christopher Columbus was the original American hero and one of the most gallant and visionary men to ever walk the face of the Earth.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

“Columbus statues have long stood as symbols of pride and cultural identity for more than 18 million Americans of Italian descent.”

— Basil Russo, President, Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations

“In this White House, Christopher Columbus is a hero, and President Trump will ensure he's honored as such for generations to come.”

— Davis Ingle, White House Spokesperson

What’s next

The Trump administration has announced plans to return a Confederate memorial to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, continuing its efforts to restore controversial historical monuments.

The takeaway

The installation of the Christopher Columbus statue on the White House grounds is the latest example of the Trump administration's push to reshape cultural and historical representations in the nation's capital, despite ongoing criticism of Columbus as a symbol of European colonization and the mistreatment of indigenous peoples.