Oct 10, 2025 minute read

President Donald Trump signed a proclamation in the White House declaring Monday, October 13 as Columbus Day. This comes after former President Joe Biden became the first president to mark Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which has replaced Columbus Day in some states.

“Columbus Day, we’re back, Italians,” Trump said after signing the proclamation.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni wrote in response to the proclamation, “I thank the President of the United States, Donald Trump, for restoring Columbus Day and for thus reminding us that history cannot be erased. And I thank him for having, on this occasion, reaffirmed the ancient bond that unites our two Nations and that both intend to strengthen, also thanks to the precious contribution of the proud Italian-American community.”

The proclamation states, “Today our Nation honors the legendary Christopher Columbus — the original American hero, a giant of Western civilization, and one of the most gallant and visionary men to ever walk the face of the earth. This Columbus Day, we honor his life with reverence and gratitude, and we pledge to reclaim his extraordinary legacy of faith, courage, perseverance, and virtue from the left-wing arsonists who have sought to destroy his name and dishonor his memory.”

Recounting the life and accomplishments of the Italian explorer, the proclamation added, “Outrageously, in recent years, Christopher Columbus has been a prime target of a vicious and merciless campaign to erase our history, slander our heroes, and attack our heritage. Before our very eyes, left-wing radicals toppled his statues, vandalized his monuments, tarnished his character, and sought to exile him from our public spaces. Under my leadership, those days are finally over — and our Nation will now abide by a simple truth: Christopher Columbus was a true American hero, and every citizen is eternally indebted to his relentless determination.”

In 2021, Biden became the first president to mark Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The holiday continued to occur alongside Columbus Day under the Biden administration, with his 2024 proclamation on the matter stating, “On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we honor Indigenous peoples’ strength, courage, and resilience. We celebrate the vast contributions of Indigenous communities to the world. And we recommit to respecting Tribal sovereignty and self-determination and working to usher in a new era of our Nation-to-Nation relationships.”