Trump installs Christopher Columbus statue on White House grounds - The Washington Post

The Washington Post
March 23, 2026
3 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Trump installed a Christopher Columbus statue on White House grounds as part of his administration's approach to historical monuments.

AI Summary

President Trump has installed a Christopher Columbus statue on the White House grounds. The move reflects Trump's stated commitment to preserving historical monuments and countering what his administration views as an erasure of American history. Columbus statues have become flashpoints in recent years, with activists and some local officials removing or replacing them over the explorer's role in colonization and treatment of Indigenous peoples. The installation signals the Trump administration's cultural priorities as it takes positions on historical narratives that differ sharply from the previous approach to public monuments. This marks one of several Trump administration actions aimed at reshaping how American history is presented on federal property.

What's Being Done

The Trump administration is taking actions to reshape how American history is presented on federal property, signaling cultural priorities that differ from previous administrations.

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

White House installs statue of Christopher Columbus on its grounds - Reuters
Politics

White House installs statue of Christopher Columbus on its grounds - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqAFBVV95cUxQc3FRNmVPNmtLX1E1R241Qlh5X2FYNmY1M2ZGODZOMElYc0FyU1hOUW5DRnRfNDRNZ0ZEMm1MSVltekxzY1J5MnFqb1hpU1F5RUtXN0dJbkRqb1BXTWlxbGF5cFRWQUVIR2lRbTlpbkJWblg2bkg1NlBDY1RwY3JBbzBmUkxpaGdEQ2VKYWhHWXdXRUhzSTE3UU1JUUpDdDZna1Y1cXNSWHA?oc=5" target="_blank">White House installs statue of Christopher Columbus on its grounds</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersMar 23
Trump erects statue of Christopher Columbus in White House grounds
Politics

Trump erects statue of Christopher Columbus in White House grounds

<p>Monument made from shattered pieces of original statue tossed into Baltimore’s inner harbor by protesters in 2020</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/mar/23/new-york-laguardia-airport-plane-vehicle-crash-air-canada-updates">US politics – live updates</a></p></li></ul><p>A statue of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/13/christopher-columbus-was-spanish-and-jewish-documentary-reveals">Christopher Columbus</a> has been installed in the grounds of the White House in the latest attempt by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/donaldtrump">Donald Trump</a> to position the controversial explorer as a foundational hero of the US.</p><p>The president had the 13ft statue, which weighs one ton, placed outside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, on Pennsylvania Avenue. It is a replica of a monument to Columbus that was torn down and <a href="https://interactive.guim.co.uk/atoms/2021/05/floyd-one-year/assets/v/1621678642262/202007...

The Guardian US NewsMar 23
Trump administration places Christopher Columbus statue on White House grounds
Politics

Trump administration places Christopher Columbus statue on White House grounds

The Trump administration placed a statue of Christopher Columbus on the White House grounds. Some people are not happy about it.

NPRMar 23
Trump has Christopher Columbus statue placed near White House
Politics

Trump has Christopher Columbus statue placed near White House

A statue of Christopher Columbus been placed on the grounds of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building adjacent to the White House.

CBS NewsMar 23
Christopher Columbus Statue Is Installed on White House Grounds
Politics

Christopher Columbus Statue Is Installed on White House Grounds

The statue of the explorer, a replica of one that protesters toppled in 2020, was placed outside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

New York TimesMar 22
Trump places statue of Christopher Columbus near the White House - NBC News
Politics

Trump places statue of Christopher Columbus near the White House - NBC News

NBC NewsMar 23
Read Next
The Case That Could Upend Who Gets to Be an American Is Back at the Supreme Court
Politics

The Case That Could Upend Who Gets to Be an American Is Back at the Supreme Court

Next week, the Trump administration’s bid to deny birthright citizenship to the US-born children of undocumented immigrants and non-green card holders through an executive order will arrive at the Supreme Court—yet again. Last year, the justices didn’t address the constitutionality of the order directly; instead, they ruled on a procedural question to limit the power […]

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources