It takes a lot to surprise Donald Trump. But it’s finally happened.
Because Trump was greeted with a surprise in the White House he’ll remember forever.
White House Celebrates Columbus Legacy with Proclamation
Members of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet and White House staff erupted in applause on Thursday as Trump affixed his signature to a proclamation designating Columbus Day, a gesture that underscored renewed emphasis on the holiday’s traditional observance.
White House staff secretary Will Scharf introduced the document ahead of the monthly Cabinet meeting, noting, “Today we have your Columbus Day proclamation for Monday, which we’re signing a bit early.”
He elaborated, “Columbus, obviously, discovered the new world in 1492. He was a great Italian explorer. He sailed his three ships, the Nina, the Pinto and Santa Maria, across the Atlantic Ocean, and landed in what’s today the Caribbean. And this is a particularly important holiday for Italian Americans who celebrate the legacy of Christopher Columbus, and the innovation and explorer zeal that he represented.”
As the room filled with cheers, Trump remarked, “In other words, we’re calling it Columbus Day.”
He added, “We’re back, Italians,” drawing sustained ovations. Trump quipped of the reaction, “That was the press that broke out in applause.” “I’ve never seen that happen. The press actually broke out in applause. Good. Columbus Day. We’re back. Columbus Day. We’re back, Italians. We love the Italians.”
Columbus Day’s Enduring Role Amid Evolving Views
Established as a federal holiday in 1971, Columbus Day has long been embraced by Italian American communities and honored through presidential declarations, reflecting the explorer’s pivotal voyage.
In recent times, however, advocacy groups have pushed to reframe the occasion, arguing it glorifies colonialism and the displacement of indigenous populations, advocating instead for Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Efforts have included campaigns to dismantle Columbus monuments, with notable removals during the 2020 unrest.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris voiced support for this shift in 2021, urging reflection on history’s darker chapters.
“Those explorers ushered in a wave of devastation for Tribal nations — perpetrating violence, stealing land and spreading disease,” she said just one day after Columbus Day 2021.
“We must not shy away from this shameful past, and we must shed light on it and do everything we can to address the impact of the past on Native communities today.”
On the same day, Trump issued a separate proclamation recognizing Leif Erikson Day on Oct. 9, commemorating the Norse explorer’s arrival on Newfoundland’s coast over a millennium ago, widely regarded as the earliest documented European contact with North America.
