In a rhetoric-charged move, Donald Trump has lashed out at ‘woke’ Democrats for their defamation of Christopher Columbus’ heritage. The hints of a twisted policy switch have emerged from his refusal to accept Joe Biden’s approach of observing Indigenous Peoples Day in parallel with Columbus Day in October. Trump shared his views on Sunday, April 27, presenting an unequivocal stance: ‘Columbus Day is being restored from decline.’ He used his Truth Social platform to express, ‘The Democrats endeavored to annihilate the legacy of Christopher Columbus, and mount an assault on his Italian fan base by obliterating his statues yet erecting nothing at all or going for ‘WOKE’. Italians can rejoice, though. Columbus is set for a remarkable return. Columbus Day will be reinstated exactly as it was for years.’
Many critics turned to digital platforms to voice their discontent with Trump’s obsession with Columbus, accusing him of overriding one of the few national holidays acknowledging native people in the U.S. An individual used X (previously known as Twitter) to post a snapshot of Trump’s post, stating, ‘We only revealed who Columbus truly was. This has no bearing on other Italians or individuals of Italian heritage. He was a mass executioner, a burglar, a slave trader, a torturer, and a much-loathed, incompetent ruler who died impoverished after a stint in jail.’
One more X platform user chimed in, ‘The claim about ‘reinstating’ Columbus Day by Trump is gimmicky posturing since Columbus Day was never abolished. He’s merely stoking the fires of the culture wars, conveniently sidestepping concrete issues. Classic deflection from a man who divides, but cannot conquer.’ An additional individual noted, ‘Columbus Day has always been a federal holiday. But it’s not celebrated. Trump’s cant compel people to participate in any form of celebration.’ The critics seem to keep on piling up.
Former Democratic President Joe Biden, in office, decided to acknowledge Indigenous Peoples Day, leading to a 2021 announcement honoring ‘the priceless contributions and mettle of Indigenous peoples’ and acknowledging ‘their inherent governance rights.’ The proclamation admitted ‘America was created with the vision of equal rights and opportunities for everyone’, a commitment that ‘we have failed to completely honor. This is especially the case when respecting Indigenous peoples, the original inhabitants of the Americas, is concerned.’
Joe Biden may have continued to refer to the federal holiday on the second Monday in October as Columbus Day, yet it was also Indigenous Peoples Day under his administration. Indeed, Donald Trump has ramped up his critique of Democrat’s actions, including dismantling Columbus’ statues. His vehement opposition was vocal in 2017 following an evaluation of the 76-foot-tall Columbus statue at New York’s Columbus Circle initiated by then-Mayor Bill de Blasio. Furthermore, the first Trump administration incurred costs to reinstate a Columbus statue in Baltimore that demonstrators had flung into the harbor during the protests sparked by George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis.
Donald Trump and his reverence for Christopher Columbus create a stark contrast to the Democrats’ approach, aiming to erase the explorer’s significance. Although unyielding in his mission to restore Columbus to glory, he faces intense scrutiny. From allegations of supporting mass murderers to accusations of sidestepping pertinent societal issues, the criticisms are plentiful and hard-hitting.
The anti-Italian sentiment Trump claims the Democrats harbor has drawn attention. Critics counter this claim by arguing that revealing Columbus’ true history does not equate to an attack on Italians or their heritage. The divisive figure is often cited as a mass murderer, thief, slaver, and torturer, shedding a negative light on him.
The allegation by the Democrats suggesting Trump’s campaign to restore Columbus Day is a mere misdirection from pressing concerns doesn’t seem off the mark. The charge portrays Trump as a deflector rather than a leader who understands the complexities of societal matters and should be capable of addressing them appropriately.
Discontent is also brewing over Trump’s inability to compel the nation’s citizens to celebrate Columbus Day. Critics argue that such a directive would not only be out of his jurisdiction but a representation of a ‘divide and rule’ tactic, further fueling polarization.
While acknowledging Indigenous Peoples Day, Biden respected the sovereignty of these communities, representing a stark departure from Trump’s continuous glorification of Columbus. In his announcement, he upheld the resilience and contributions of the Indigenous people, possibly pointing out the futility of restoring a controversial figure like Columbus.
Trump’s insistence on muddying Indigenous People’s Day with Columbus’ narrative raises questions about his views on Indigenous people’s rights. The rights of these communities and their inherent governance have continually been jeopardized, a fact accentuated in Biden’s proclamation.
Trump’s campaign against the Columbus circles’ examination repudiated by Democrats and then-Mayor Bill de Blasio might say more about his political scheme than an upright defense for Columbus. The act of restoring the Baltimore Columbus statue, ironically damaged during the George Floyd protests, goes to affirm his ideology.
The contrast between the Democrat’s initiative to respect Indigenous people’s rights and Trump’s relentless criticism of tearing down Columbus’s statues appends another chapter in America’s tumultuous history. The narrative between these administrations underscores the differences in their approach to so-called equality, a value both parties claim to uphold.
Trump’s crusade to resurrect Columbus Day from the ‘ashes’, specifically targeted at Democrats, seemingly dismisses other significant societal causes. This tendency to stir up the cultural landscape while overshadowing substantial issues paints a clear picture of his divisive leadership agenda.
Regardless of the shape this ‘return of Columbus’ takes, the fact remains that the actions of historical figures aren’t subject to change regardless of who champions them. In relentlessly pursuing the enshrining of Columbus, Trump is playing a dangerous game, one that could widen the divide between different segments of our society.