President Donald Trump observed Columbus Day on 12 October 2026 with remarks declaring "the days of plunder are over," positioning the occasion as a cultural priority. He also demanded the restoration of a Christopher Columbus statue to Columbus, Ohio.
Residents in Columbus gave a range of responses to the demand. Some supported the move, while others were less enthusiastic. The remarks came as Indigenous Peoples Day observances ran alongside the federal holiday, a parallel that has drawn attention in recent years. That overlap has sparked ongoing debate in communities across the country.
Trump's framing of the holiday as a matter of national identity signals that the debate over how Columbus Day is observed is likely to continue.