Trending Now - Trump's Columbus Statue Proposal Ignites National Debate

WHO:

Will Hemsley, a sculptor based in Centreville on Maryland's Eastern Shore, created the statue.

John Pica, president of the Italian American Organizations United, stated, “We are delighted the statue has found a place where it can peacefully shine and be protected.”

Basil Russo, president of the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations, stated, “Columbus statues have long stood as symbols of pride and cultural identity for more than 18 million Americans of Italian descent.”

Will Hemsley, a sculptor based in Centreville on Maryland's Eastern Shore, created the statue.

John Pica, president of the Italian American Organizations United, stated, “We are delighted the statue has found a place where it can peacefully shine and be protected.”

President Donald Trump praised the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations for its “incredible generosity” in bringing the statue to Washington.

White House spokesperson Davis Ingle stated, “In this White House, Christopher Columbus is a hero, and President Trump will ensure he’s honored as such for generations to come.”

President Donald Trump

Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations (COPOMIAO)

Basil Russo, president of COPOMIAO

White House spokesperson Davis Ingle

WHAT:

The statue is a 13-foot, one-ton replica of a Columbus statue that was toppled in Baltimore in 2020.

The statue was built in 2022 using shattered pieces of the original monument that were retrieved from the Baltimore Harbor.

The pedestal of the statue is inscribed: “Destroyed July 4, 2020 … Resurrected 2022 ... Rededicated by President Donald J. Trump, October 13, 2025.”

The statue is located across from the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery and near the White House building.

The statue is not accessible for close public viewing and is blocked off by rows of fences.

The commemorative gold coin features President Trump on one side and a bald eagle carrying the Liberty Bell on the other.

The coin is designed for the United States’ semiquincentennial, marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. founding.

The statue is made mostly of marble.

The statue was commissioned by the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations (COPOMIAO) and loaned to the federal government for placement at or near the White House.

The statue was built in 2022 using shattered pieces of the original monument that were retrieved from the Baltimore Harbor.

The pedestal of the statue is inscribed: “Destroyed July 4, 2020 … Resurrected 2022 ... Rededicated by President Donald J. Trump, October 13, 2025.”

John Pica, a Maryland lobbyist and president of the Italian American Organizations United, stated, “We are delighted the statue has found a place where it can peacefully shine and be protected.”

The statue is a replica of a Columbus statue that was “torn down by anti-American rioters” according to Trump.

The statue is located across from the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery and near the White House building.

The statue is not accessible for close public viewing and is blocked off by rows of fences.

The Trump administration has reinstalled a statue of Confederate officer Albert Pike in Washington, D.C., and announced plans to return a Confederate memorial to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

A statue of Christopher Columbus has been installed on the grounds of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

The statue is a 13-foot, one-ton replica of a Columbus statue that was toppled in Baltimore in 2020.

The installation is part of the Trump administration's efforts to restore statues removed during racial justice protests.

The statue contains pieces retrieved from the Baltimore Harbor.

Trump stated, “Christopher Columbus was the original American hero and one of the most gallant and visionary men to ever walk the face of the Earth.”

WHERE:

Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Washington, D.C.

Baltimore, Maryland (original statue location)

WHEN:

The statue installation was reported on March 22nd, 2026.

The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts voted to approve a commemorative gold coin featuring President Trump on March 19th, 2026.

The statue installation was reported on March 22nd, 2026.

The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts voted to approve a commemorative gold coin featuring President Trump on March 19th, 2026.

The statue installation occurred on March 22nd, 2026.

The statue was rededicated by President Trump on October 13th, 2025.

The original Columbus statue was toppled on July 4th, 2020.

The installation of the statue was reported on March 22nd, 2026.

The statue installation occurred over the weekend prior to March 22nd, 2026.

The original Columbus statue was toppled in 2020 during protests following George Floyd's murder.

WHY:

The installation aims to recognize Christopher Columbus as a significant historical figure and to celebrate Italian American culture.

Trump stated in a letter, “I am truly honored that this magnificent statue will now sit on the grounds of the White House.”

The coin's approval is seen as part of Trump's efforts to stamp his name and likeness across the federal government.

Trump stated in a letter, “I am truly honored that this magnificent statue will now sit on the grounds of the White House.”

Trump stated, “I’m bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes,” in reference to his efforts to restore the holiday and Columbus's legacy.

The installation is part of the Trump administration's efforts to reshape cultural and historical representations across the nation’s capital.

Trump stated in a letter that Columbus’ voyage in 1492 “carried thousands of years of wisdom, philosophy, reason, and culture across the Atlantic into the Americas.”

The installation aims to recognize Christopher Columbus as a significant historical figure and to celebrate Italian American culture.

Trump condemned the removal of statues as an “assault on our collective national memory.”

HOW:

The statue was commissioned by the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations (COPOMIAO) and loaned to the federal government for placement at or near the White House.

The Treasury secretary is authorized to mint and issue new 24-karat gold coins, which may allow for Trump's likeness to appear on the coin despite existing laws prohibiting living presidents from appearing on currency.

The statue was built in 2022 using shattered pieces of the original monument that were retrieved from the Baltimore Harbor.

The statue contains pieces of the original statue that were retrieved from the Baltimore Harbor.

The statue was commissioned by COPOMIAO and brought to Washington as part of the celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary.

(UPDATED March 24, 2026 01:41 UTC)

A new 13-foot statue of Christopher Columbus, created by sculptor Will Hemsley, was installed near the White House on March 22, 2026, to honor Italian American culture and history. The statue, built from pieces of a monument that was toppled in Baltimore in 2020, is inscribed with a dedication from Trump, who expressed his honor at its placement. Although the statue is not accessible for close viewing due to surrounding fences, it stands as a symbol of pride for many in the Italian American community, as noted by leaders like John Pica and Basil Russo.

(UPDATED March 23, 2026 23:39 UTC)

On March 19, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts approved a commemorative gold coin featuring President Trump, which is set to celebrate the United States’ semiquincentennial, marking the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding. The coin showcases Trump on one side and a bald eagle carrying the Liberty Bell on the other, and it is part of Trump's broader efforts to leave his mark on the federal government. The Treasury secretary is authorized to mint and issue these new 24-karat gold coins, which may allow for Trump's likeness to appear despite existing laws that typically prohibit living presidents from appearing on currency.

(UPDATED March 23, 2026 21:32 UTC)

On March 22, 2026, a statue was installed on the grounds of the White House, which had previously been rededicated by Trump on October 13, 2025. In a letter, Trump expressed his honor in having the statue, stating, “I am truly honored that this magnificent statue will now sit on the grounds of the White House.” This statue was constructed in 2022 using shattered pieces of the original monument that were retrieved from the Baltimore Harbor.

(UPDATED March 23, 2026 19:46 UTC)

A new statue of Christopher Columbus, crafted by sculptor Will Hemsley from Centreville, Maryland, has been installed near the White House after being commissioned by the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations. The statue, made mostly of marble and built in 2022 from pieces of the original monument that was toppled on July 4, 2020, has been loaned to the federal government, with John Pica, president of the Italian American Organizations United, expressing delight at its new home. President Trump has emphasized his commitment to restoring Columbus Day and the legacy of Columbus, stating, “I’m bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes.”

(UPDATED March 23, 2026 17:47 UTC)

A statue that was built in 2022 using shattered pieces of the original monument retrieved from the Baltimore Harbor has been rededicated by Trump on October 13, 2025, with its pedestal inscribed to commemorate its destruction on July 4, 2020. John Pica, a Maryland lobbyist and president of the Italian American Organizations United, expressed delight that the statue has found a place where it can peacefully shine and be protected. Trump emphasized his commitment to restoring Columbus Day and celebrating Columbus's legacy by stating, “I’m bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes.”

(UPDATED March 23, 2026 07:27 UTC)

Today, President Trump praised the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations for their incredible generosity in bringing a replica of a Columbus statue to Washington, which he claims was torn down by anti-American rioters. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle emphasized that in this administration, Columbus is viewed as a hero, and Trump intends to honor him for generations to come. The statue, which includes pieces of the original retrieved from the Baltimore Harbor, is now located across from the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery and near the White House.

(UPDATED March 23, 2026 05:38 UTC)

Yesterday, President Trump announced the installation of a statue of Confederate officer Albert Pike in Washington, D.C., while also revealing plans to return a Confederate memorial to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Basil Russo, president of the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations, emphasized that Columbus statues have long represented pride and cultural identity for over 18 million Americans of Italian descent. However, the newly installed statue is currently not accessible for close public viewing, as it is surrounded by rows of fences.

(UPDATED March 23, 2026 04:00 UTC)

This past weekend, a 13-foot replica of a Christopher Columbus statue was installed on the grounds of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., as part of the Trump administration's efforts to restore monuments removed during racial justice protests. The statue, which weighs one ton and contains pieces retrieved from the original statue that was toppled in Baltimore in 2020, was commissioned by the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations, with President Trump calling Columbus “the original American hero.” Trump emphasized the importance of recognizing Columbus as a significant historical figure and condemned the removal of statues as an “assault on our collective national memory.”