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Even though it’s still early in April, President Donald Trump has made it abundantly clear that Columbus Day, observed in October, will continue to be recognized as Columbus Day, without any changes.
This proclamation, which came just over the weekend, is part of a broader message to Trump’s MAGA followers: he will not bow to what he perceives as political correctness or progressive ideals advocating for Indigenous Peoples Day—a holiday that coexisted with Columbus Day during President Joe Biden’s term. Christopher Columbus, often credited in educational settings with “discovering” America despite never actually stepping foot on what is now U.S. territory, finds his legacy entwined with that of other controversial figures, such as Confederate general Robert E. Lee. For Trump, Columbus is as much a cornerstone of American history as apple pie and Betsy Ross, viewing Indigenous Peoples Day as an unwarranted attempt to tarnish that legacy.
“The Democrats have done everything in their power to tarnish Christopher Columbus’s name and the reputation of the Italian community that honors him,” the President stated on Truth Social, his alternative platform to the one formerly known as Twitter. “They’ve torn down his statues and replaced them with nothing but ‘WOKE’ nonsense—or worse, left nothing at all! Well, you’ll be glad to know that Christopher is making a grand return. I am officially reinstating Columbus Day with all the same rules, dates, and locations it has held for years!”
However, it’s important to clarify: Trump does not have the power to unilaterally declare a national holiday. Furthermore, Columbus Day has not been “destroyed”; Biden has continued to issue proclamations recognizing it while also acknowledging Indigenous Peoples Day, although Congress has yet to officially recognize it as a federal holiday. The same legislative steps would be required to remove Columbus Day from its federal holiday status, a move Congress has not pursued. There have been attempts to rename Columbus Day, but those initiatives have largely faltered. While several Columbus statues have been removed in recent years, it is improbable that Ohio will be renaming its capital anytime soon. Even in liberal Manhattan, Columbus Circle proudly displays a 76-foot statue of the explorer, erected in response to the violent lynchings of Italian-American immigrants.
October 13th has always been designated as Columbus Day, irrespective of Trump’s statements. While he suggested that Indigenous Peoples Day has lost its significance, he didn’t outright say so. Nevertheless, his supporters certainly interpreted it in their favor.
The presidency has always entailed a degree of performance, with the public nature of the role demanding a certain showmanship. Trump amplifies this aspect, leveraging grievances and division to rally his base. His recent declaration serves as a clear signal to voters who feel sidelined by a contemporary political environment that seems to downplay a colonial explorer who, according to the familiar children’s rhyme, “sailed the ocean blue” in 1492. However, the reality is much more complicated; Columbus’s arrival marked the beginning of European expansionism that led to the deaths and enslavement of millions of indigenous peoples. Estimates indicate that between 1492 and 1600, as many as 56 million natives died due to European colonization, even as the catchy school rhyme persists in popularity.
Political narratives are often vulnerable to distortion. There’s a concerning link between history and nationalism, both of which can reinforce one another to craft an ideal that sometimes leads to violence in defense of a skewed past and entrenched inequalities. The rise of white Christian nationalism over the past fifty years has paralleled advancements in civil rights, resulting in significant violence. It would be difficult to envision the current MAGA movement without the backdrop of nativist nationalism.
Ironically, Columbus never actually set foot on what is now mainland North America, yet he became a symbol for Italian-American immigrants, especially after the lynchings of the 1890s. Columbus epitomized the nation’s glorified origin story, akin to the Mayflower or the early Western pioneers. As Stephen Sondheim wisely pointed out, children absorb the narratives they hear, and these myths can be incredibly resilient. This explains why many people proudly identify as Irish on Saint Patrick’s Day and why local taquerias buzz with activity on Cinco de Mayo—two celebrations that hold scant relevance in their countries of origin.
All this suggests that Trump is less invested in correcting historical narratives or promoting holiday celebrations than in rallying his followers to feel aggrieved and empowered. With a knowing grin and a loudspeaker, Trump is encouraging his base to hold fast to their convictions—even those rooted in the distorted histories they were taught during their formative years.
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