Sun Apr 27 22:05:00 UTC 2025: ## Trump Vows to Revive Columbus Day, Rejecting Indigenous Peoples Day
**Washington, D.C. – April 28, 2025** – Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday his intention to reinstate Columbus Day as the sole federal holiday observed in October, effectively ending the dual recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day. Trump accused Democrats of attempting to erase Christopher Columbus’ legacy, framing the move as a campaign pledge to restore “traditional American icons.”
This directly contradicts the policy of President Joe Biden, who in 2021, first issued a proclamation recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day alongside Columbus Day, acknowledging the contributions and sovereignty of Indigenous peoples while acknowledging past injustices. Trump, in a social media post, declared he is “bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes,” claiming Democrats have worked to “destroy Christopher Columbus, his reputation, and all of the Italians that love him so much.”
While the federal holiday remained officially known as Columbus Day under Biden, Indigenous Peoples Day also gained recognition, fulfilling a long-held goal of activists seeking to shift focus from Columbus’s voyages to the exploitation of Indigenous populations. Trump’s stance reflects his broader opposition to what he views as a revisionist approach to American history.
The historical context of Columbus Day’s prominence in the U.S. is linked to Italian-American immigration and political maneuvering, notably spurred by the 1891 lynching of Italian-Americans in New Orleans. It became a national holiday in 1934. Notably, Columbus’ expeditions never reached the North American continent.
Trump’s announcement further highlights his ongoing criticism of efforts to remove or deface Columbus statues, citing previous instances in New York and Baltimore. His commitment to restoring Columbus Day underscores a key element of his political platform.
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