Trump Installs Replica of Toppled Baltimore Columbus Statue on White House Executive Grounds
On March 22, 2026, President Trump had a mostly-marble statue of Christopher Columbus by Maryland sculptor Will Hemsley lowered into place on the White House Executive Grounds near the President’s residence. The White House framed the installation as endorsing a "traditional view" of Columbus and as part of Trump’s effort to "bring Columbus Day back" — an explicit rebuttal to the trend of replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day — and John Pica of Italian American Organizations United said the group was "delighted the statue has found a place where it can peacefully shine and be protected."
📌 Key Facts
- On March 22, 2026, a replica statue of Christopher Columbus was lowered into place on the White House Executive Grounds; an AP photo credited sculptor Will Hemsley.
- The statue is made mostly of marble and was created by Maryland sculptor Will Hemsley of Centreville on the Eastern Shore.
- The White House framed the placement as endorsing a "traditional view" of Columbus as the leader of the 1492 mission that marked the unofficial beginning of European colonization and the modern economic and political order.
- President Trump has tied the installation to a broader cultural campaign, saying he is "bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes" and accusing Democrats of trying "to destroy Christopher Columbus, his reputation, and all of the Italians that love him."
- The statue was presented as an explicit rebuttal to the wider trend of replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day, a shift underscored by President Biden’s 2021 Indigenous Peoples Day proclamation.
- John Pica, president of Italian American Organizations United and a Maryland lobbyist, said the group is "delighted the statue has found a place where it can peacefully shine and be protected."
📊 Relevant Data
The indigenous population of the Americas was estimated at 54 to 61 million in 1492, declining to about 6 million by 1650, representing a 90% reduction primarily due to European-introduced diseases, warfare, and enslavement.
What is the archaeological evidence of massive Native American population decline after 1492? — Reddit AskAnthropology (citing Lewis and Maslin, but using as pointer; actual data from PMC article)
In 2022, the poverty rate among American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) people was 21.7%, compared to the national average of about 11.5%, with AIAN children experiencing a sharp increase in poverty to over 30% after safety net cutbacks.
Social Determinants of Health Among American Indians and Alaska Natives — PMC
American Indians and Alaska Natives have higher mortality rates than other Americans in categories like chronic liver disease, diabetes, and unintentional injuries, with 36% of those with heart disease dying before age 65 compared to lower rates nationally.
Disparities Fact Sheets — Indian Health Service
A 2020 discussion from Penn's Indigenous community indicates that many Native Americans view Christopher Columbus as a symbol of colonialism and suffering, with calls to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day instead.
Indigenous views of Christopher Columbus — Penn Today
Italian American organizations, such as the National Italian American Foundation, view Christopher Columbus as a courageous explorer and symbol of Italian heritage, advocating for the preservation of Columbus Day.
Christopher Columbus — The National Italian American Foundation
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms the installation timing and imagery: the statue was lowered into place on March 22, 2026, with an AP photo crediting sculptor Will Hemsley.
- Clarifies that the statue is made mostly of marble and was created by Maryland sculptor Will Hemsley from Centreville on the Eastern Shore.
- Adds an on-the-record quote from John Pica, president of Italian American Organizations United and a Maryland lobbyist, saying the group is 'delighted the statue has found a place where it can peacefully shine and be protected.'
- Provides fuller White House framing that Trump endorses a 'traditional view' of Columbus as the leader of the 1492 mission marking the unofficial beginning of European colonization and the modern economic and political order.
- Includes Trump’s prior statement that he is 'bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes' and his claim that 'Democrats did everything possible to destroy Christopher Columbus, his reputation, and all of the Italians that love him so much,' tying the statue to a broader cultural campaign.
- Reiterates the context of Biden’s 2021 Indigenous Peoples Day proclamation and the wider trend of replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day, underscoring the statue as an explicit rebuttal to that shift.