Published：Mar 22, 18:50Last updated：Mar 25, 02:17

Trump Installs Columbus Statue Near White House Amid Controversy

Mar. 22, 2026 18:50

A statue of Christopher Columbus was installed overnight in front of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington. The installation took place on Sunday. The article was published on March 22, 2026.

Summarized

10News

8Media

Mar. 25, 2026 02:14

In his latest White House renovation, President Donald Trump installed a statue of Christopher Columbus and laid new black granite paving stones on the West Wing colonnade. The Columbus statue is a replica of one removed in Baltimore during protests in 2020. Trump defended Columbus as the original American hero, continuing his efforts to modify the White House's exterior.

Mar. 25, 2026 02:17

President Donald Trump continued his White House renovations by adding a marble statue of Christopher Columbus and laying new black granite paving stones on the West Wing colonnade. The Columbus statue is a replica of one toppled in Baltimore in 2020 during anti-racism protests. Trump described Columbus as the original American hero, emphasizing his ongoing efforts to reshape the White House's appearance.

In a move that has reignited national debate, former President Donald Trump oversaw the installation of a 13-foot, one-ton replica statue of Christopher Columbus outside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building near the White House. The statue, crafted by Maryland sculptor Will Hemsley, was assembled from pieces of a monument previously removed from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor during the 2020 protests against racial injustice. Trump’s decision, part of a broader renovation of the White House grounds, is seen as a pointed endorsement of Columbus’s controversial legacy and a challenge to the recent wave of statue removals across the United States. The New York Times+2

🏛️ Political Symbolism and White House Renovations

The installation is part of Trump’s ongoing efforts to reshape the White House’s exterior, which also included laying new black granite paving stones on the West Wing colonnade. The Columbus statue stands as a symbol of Trump’s commitment to honoring figures he describes as “foundational American heroes.” The administration’s actions reflect a broader political statement amid ongoing debates over which historical figures deserve public commemoration. The Korea Herald+2

⚖️ Legacy and Controversy Surrounding Columbus

Christopher Columbus remains a divisive figure in American history. While some, including Trump, view him as a pioneering explorer and a symbol of Western civilization’s expansion, others criticize his role in the colonization and oppression of Indigenous peoples. The statue’s installation comes after widespread removals of Columbus monuments during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, highlighting deep divisions over his legacy. Chosun Ilbo+2

🗣️ Public and Cultural Reactions

The move has sparked strong reactions from both supporters and critics. Proponents argue that restoring the statue is a defense of historical tradition and national pride. Detractors, however, see it as an attempt to whitewash history and undermine progress made by social justice movements. The debate underscores the ongoing cultural reckoning over public symbols and the narratives they represent in the United States. Chosun Ilbo+2

BaltimoreDonald TrumpWill HemsleyChristopher ColumbusEisenhower Executive Office Building