Overview

• Signed Oct. 9, the presidential proclamation hails Christopher Columbus as “the original American hero” and calls on Americans to honor his legacy.
• The proclamation omits Indigenous Peoples Day and accuses “left-wing arsonists” of seeking to erase Columbus’ name, with Trump declaring at the signing, “We’re back, Italians.”
• Supporters, including Republican officials and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, praised the move, while Washington, D.C., and other jurisdictions said they will still observe Indigenous Peoples Day.
• Indigenous scholars and advocates criticized the proclamation, with San José State’s Kerri Malloy citing genocide tied to colonization and Michigan State’s Matthew Fletcher calling the move political “trolling.”
• Pew Research data cited in coverage shows Columbus Day is recognized in some form by 30 states and three U.S. territories, while 17 states and Washington, D.C., commemorate Indigenous people on that day.