Overview
- Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he is 'bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes,' claiming Democrats have undermined the holiday and Christopher Columbus's legacy.
- Columbus Day remains a federal holiday and has not been legally altered; only Congress can create or remove federal holidays.
- Trump's remarks reference the growing recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day, formally acknowledged by President Biden in 2021 via a presidential proclamation alongside Columbus Day.
- Activists and several states have increasingly replaced or paired Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day, citing Columbus's role in colonial violence against Native peoples.
- The debate over Columbus Day reflects broader cultural and political divisions, with Trump framing the issue as part of his opposition to 'woke' policies and reinterpretations of U.S. history.