White House installs Columbus State on Grounds
Columbus Comeback!
A statue of Christopher Columbus has been installed near the White House by Donald Trump, reflecting his continued support for honoring the explorer despite ongoing controversy over his legacy.
The statue is a replica of one that was pulled down and thrown into Baltimore’s harbor during the 2020 protests following the George Floyd protests. Supporters, including Italian American groups, view the installation as preserving history and honoring Columbus’s contributions!
Read more in the CBS News article!
©Will Hemsley / AP
Christopher Columbus statue Trump added near White House is replica of one downed by protesters
CBS News | March 23, 2026 12:11 PM EDT
A statue of Christopher Columbus has been placed on the grounds of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building adjacent to the White House — the latest effort by the Trump administration to honor the explorer whose legacy has drawn increasing criticism in recent years.
The statue is a replica of one that was tossed into Baltimore’s harbor in 2020 during Mr. Trump’s first term at a time of nationwide protests against institutional racism.
“In this White House, Christopher Columbus is a hero, and President Trump will ensure he’s honored as such for generations to come,” the White House posted on X.
President Trump endorses a traditional view of Columbus which celebrates his 1492 voyage as the beginning of a European presence in the Americas and the development of the modern economic and political order. But in recent years, Columbus also has been recognized as a primary example of Western Europe’s conquest of the New World, its resources and native people.
©Will Hemsley / AP
