President Donald Trump observed Columbus Day on 12 October 2026 with remarks declaring "the days of plunder are over," framing the federal holiday as a cultural priority. He also called for the return of a Christopher Columbus statue to Columbus, Ohio.
Residents in Columbus gave divided responses to the demand. Some supported the move, while others pushed back on it. The remarks came as Indigenous Peoples Day observances were held in parallel with the federal holiday, a parallel that has drawn attention in recent years. That overlap has drawn increasing scrutiny in communities across the country.
Trump's framing of the holiday as a cultural priority signals that the debate over how Columbus Day is observed is likely to continue.