Trump Administration Installs Christopher Columbus Statue on White House Campus

The president hails the Italian explorer as a 'gallant and visionary' figure despite controversy over his legacy.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 4:13am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Trump administration has installed a statue of Christopher Columbus on the White House campus, with the president praising the Italian explorer as 'one of the most gallant and visionary men to ever walk the face of the Earth.' The statue is a replica of one that was torn down by 'anti-American rioters' in Baltimore in 2020 amid civil unrest sparked by the murder of George Floyd.

Why it matters

The installation of the Columbus statue on the White House grounds is the latest move by the Trump administration to honor controversial historical figures, despite growing public scrutiny of their legacies. This decision is seen by civil rights advocates as a potential reversal of decades of social progress.

The details

The Columbus statue was donated by the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations. In a letter, President Trump thanked the group for the gift and noted that the likeness is a replica of a sculpture that was torn down and dumped in the Baltimore harbor by 'anti-American rioters' in July 2020 during the civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd.

  • The Columbus statue was installed on the White House campus in March 2026.
  • In July 2020, a statue of Columbus was torn down and dumped in the Baltimore harbor by 'anti-American rioters' during civil unrest.

The players

Donald Trump

The president of the United States who praised Christopher Columbus as a 'gallant and visionary' figure and oversaw the installation of the Columbus statue on the White House campus.

Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations

The group that donated the Christopher Columbus statue that was installed on the White House campus.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“In this White House, Christopher Columbus is a hero. And he will continue to be honored as such by President Trump.”

— Davis Ingle, White House spokesman

The takeaway

The installation of the Christopher Columbus statue on the White House campus reflects the Trump administration's efforts to honor controversial historical figures, despite growing public scrutiny of their legacies and the potential for this decision to reverse decades of social progress.