Trump 'bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes,' reinstating it 'under the same rules, dates, and locations'

President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he is "bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes," criticizing Democrats for trying to erase the explorer's reputation.

“I’m bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes. The Democrats did everything possible to destroy Christopher Columbus, his reputation, and all of the Italians that love him so much,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “They tore down his Statues, and put up nothing but “WOKE,” or even worse, nothing at all! Well, you’ll be happy to know, Christopher is going to make a major comeback. I am hereby reinstating Columbus Day under the same rules, dates, and locations, as it has had for all of the many decades before!”

Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October each year. Despite being a long-standing federal holiday, it has come under increasing criticism in recent years, largely from left-wing activists who argue that Christopher Columbus should not be celebrated.

The holiday has also been rebranded by many as "Indigenous People's Day" to avoid using the name of Columbus.

During the height of the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, multiple Columbus statues across the United States were torn down, with protesters blaming Columbus for atrocities committed against indigenous people. In Chicago, then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot ordered the removal of three Columbus statues, sparking outrage among Italian American groups who have since fought for their restoration.