From The White House, a strong and truthful signal for all Italians around the world.
I would like to thank President Donald J. Trump for the Columbus Day 2025 Proclamation, which restores justice and dignity to an anniversary that a certain political faction, blinded by ideology, had sought to erase in the name of revisionism and “cancel culture”.
With this gesture, President Trump wanted to re-establish the historical truth: Christopher Columbus, Genoese and Italian, was not a symbol of division but the man who united two worlds and paved the way for centuries of progress, encounter, and civilization.
It is also a recognition of the immense contribution that millions of #italianihave made — and continue to make — to building the United States of America, distinguishing themselves for work, talent, and family values that have made this nation great.
Columbus Day, celebrated on Monday, October 13, thus returns to being a celebration of pride, freedom, and friendship between Italy and the United States, a message of peace and cooperation at a time when the world needs balance and rationality more than ever.
And today, in the face of international events, this proclamation takes on an even higher meaning: thanks for peace, and for those who have the courage to defend it with the force of truth and not with the hypocrisy of ideological salons.
Thank you, President Trump, for restoring truth, pride, and historical justice to a celebration that represents America’s deep roots and Italy’s best soul.
During the celebrations, I then had the honor of attending the wreath-laying ceremony at Columbus Circle, in the heart of New York.
A simple yet meaningful gesture, encompassing respect for our history, our roots, and the courage of those, like Christopher Columbus, who knew how to unite two worlds with the power of vision and faith.
In front of that statue, a symbol of discovery and identity, I thought of the millions of Italians who —starting with little, but with a great dream— have built, generation after generation, a fundamental part of this nation.
They brought with them values that still make Italy’s name great today: family, work, dignity, hope.
Being there, as an Italian and as a representative of our communities, reminded me how deep the bond between Italy and the United States is: a bond made of sacrifices, dreams, a love of freedom, and gratitude to those who made all this possible.
Another key moment these days, St. Patrick’s Mass and the great parade along Fifth Avenue, to celebrate together —with pride and unity— our identity and our history. A huge emotion. A celebration of the identity, tradition, and value of Italians around the world.
The figure of Christopher Columbus, a great Genoese navigator, remains a symbol of the Italian ingenuity that changed the course of history. Honoring him means defending historical truth against any attempt at cultural erasure.
We celebrated this anniversary together with thousands of compatriots, with pride and a sense of belonging.
