President Donald Trump Installs Christopher Columbus Statue On Eisenhower Executive Office Building Grounds

President Donald Trump's administration has installed a 13-foot replica of a Christopher Columbus statue on the grounds of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building adjacent to the White House.

The statue was placed on the north side of the building near the Smithsonian's Renwick Gallery, though it is blocked from close public viewing by fencing.

CBS News

The installation occurred over the weekend, with artist Tilghman Hemsley IV completing the work around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2026.

This replica was constructed from pieces of the original monument that were recovered from Baltimore's Inner Harbor after protesters pulled it from its pedestal in Baltimore's Little Italy neighborhood on July 4, 2020.

The destruction occurred during nationwide demonstrations following George Floyd's murder by police.

The statue was originally unveiled in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan and Baltimore Mayor William Donald Schaefer.

The Columbus statue installation represents a significant cultural and political statement, reflecting Trump's embrace of traditional historical narratives.

Trump views Columbus as 'the original American hero, a giant of Western civilization, and one of the most gallant and visionary men to ever walk the face of the Earth.'

CNN

Critics recognize Columbus as 'a primary example of Western Europe's conquest of the New World, its resources and its native people.'

The statue's placement comes amid broader Trump administration efforts to reshape historical memory, including restoration of Confederate monuments.

Civil rights advocates say these moves could reverse decades of social progress.

Italian American organizations have long viewed Columbus as a symbol of cultural identity and unity, particularly since the 1891 lynching of 11 Italian-American immigrants in New Orleans.

The Trump administration's decision to install the Columbus statue directly contrasts with the previous Biden administration's approach to historical memory.

“A statue of Christopher Columbus has been erected outside of an ornate federal office building on the White House grounds — the latest sign of the Trump administration’s efforts to reshape cultural and historical representations across the nation’s capital”

CNN

President Biden in 2021 became the first U.S. president to formally issue an Indigenous Peoples' Day proclamation.

Trump has explicitly rejected this approach, stating he would not continue Biden's practice of recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day alongside Columbus Day.

Trump declared 'I'm bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes' and accused Democrats of destroying Columbus's reputation.

The White House framed the statue installation as part of the nation's 'America250' celebration of the 250th anniversary of independence.

This ideological clash represents a broader battle over American historical narratives.

The installation has sparked varied reactions across different communities and political perspectives.

Italian American leaders have celebrated the statue's return, with John Pica calling it 'a victory' and an 'achievement after going through a very difficult and trying process.'

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The Italian American Organizations United expressed delight that the statue 'has found a place where it can peacefully shine and be protected.'

Critics have condemned the move, pointing to Columbus's documented role in the genocide and exploitation of Indigenous peoples.

Baltimore officials had acknowledged that monuments 'may represent different things to different people.'

The statue's journey represents ongoing cultural battles over which historical narratives dominate public spaces.