U.S. President Donald Trump has announced his intention to install a statue of Christopher Columbus near the White House, which was damaged during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. This will be an exact replica of the monument that was unveiled by President Ronald Reagan in Baltimore, which activists toppled and threw into the city harbor.
This is reported by Finway
Restoration of the Columbus Statue and Transfer to the White House
Following the incident, a group of Italian-American entrepreneurs, using their own funds and public grants, restored the damaged sculpture. The organizer of the restoration, Bill Martin, stated that the monument is expected to be handed over to the Trump administration in the coming weeks. The White House has not officially disclosed details of the negotiations regarding the installation of the monument, but emphasizes the importance of Columbus’s figure to the current president.
“For the current White House, Christopher Columbus is a hero, and Donald Trump intends to continue honoring him in that capacity,” said administration spokesperson Davis Ingle.
Discussions Surrounding the Initiative and Trump’s Position
Trump has repeatedly expressed opposition to the dismantling of historical monuments in the U.S., viewing it as an attempt by the “left” to rewrite American history. He has also promised to more actively celebrate Columbus Day and is counting on the support of the Italian-American community. At the same time, the initiative to erect the statue has raised concerns among heritage conservation specialists, who emphasize the need for official expert assessments before such plans are implemented.
Despite this, the president continues to implement changes to the architectural appearance of the government quarter. Last year, part of the East Wing of the White House was dismantled to construct a new hall, which also sparked public discussion.