Trump to install Christopher Columbus statue on White House grounds: report

President Trump is reportedly planning on installing a statue of famed Italian explorer Christopher Columbus on the grounds of the White House. The piece will reportedly be a reconstruction of one that was damaged by rioters in Baltimore in 2020.

Two people with knowledge of the matter told the Washington Post the statue is currently expected to be located on the south side of the White House grounds, north of the Ellipse and by E Street. The Baltimore statue had been unveiled by President Ronald Reagan, and in 2020 was dumped in the harbor by rioters. 

The destroyed pieces of the statue were recovered by a group of Italian-American businessmen and politicians, and, working with local sculptors, have been rebuilt with financial support from local charities and federal grant funding. 

One Italian American businessman who helped recover the sculpture and organize the rebuilding effort, Bill Martin, said he expects the sculpture to be transferred to the Trump administration from a warehouse on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in the coming weeks. 

While the White House declined to comment on the plans, spokesman Davis Ingle said, "In this White House, Christopher Columbus is a hero. And he will continue to be honored as such by President Trump." 

Trump has defended Columbus’ legacy, which has been under attack in recent years, campaigning in 2024 on a promise to celebrate Columbus Day as some states and former President Joe Biden now mark Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead. In October, he signed a proclamation to recognize Columbus as "the original American hero." 

Trump said at the time, "We’re back, Italians. Okay? We love the Italians." He told reporters in January, "The Italian people are very happy about it. Remember when you go to the voting booths, I reinstated Columbus Day."