President Donald Trump is planning to install a statue of Christopher Columbus on the south side of the White House grounds near E Street and the Ellipse, in a high-profile addition to the executive mansion’s evolving landscape.

The statue, a reconstruction of a figure originally unveiled in Baltimore during the Reagan era and toppled by protesters in 2020, was rebuilt by Italian-American sculptors and supporters and is expected to be transferred to Washington in the coming weeks.

Trump’s broader cultural agenda has emphasised celebrating figures he views as foundational to American history, and the decision to place a Columbus statue at the White House reflects that priority as part of his administration’s efforts to reaffirm traditional narratives of national heritage.

The White House’s spokesperson has lauded Columbus as a hero and affirmed that the statue will be honoured accordingly once installed, framing the move as restoring recognition of historical achievements.

Columbus, the 15th-century explorer whose voyages initiated sustained European contact with the Americas, remains a polarising figure in public memory; debates over his legacy have intensified in recent years amid reassessments of colonial history and its impacts.

Supporters of the installation see the decision as a tribute to Italian-American heritage and an affirmation of American historical identity, while critics argue the explorer’s record raises complex questions about commemoration in public spaces.

The planned installation comes amid a broader Trump-led push on monuments and memorials, including initiatives to expand the White House grounds and erect other historical markers, underscoring the administration’s commitment to tangible symbols of national history and pride.