Former President Donald Trump has announced that he will return the bronze bust of Winston Churchill to the White House. The bust of the British wartime leader had been removed by President Joe Biden when he took office, but Trump’s decision to restore it signals his admiration for the figure, who he has frequently praised.
What Led to the Removal of Churchill’s Bust?
In 2009, when Barack Obama became president, he replaced the bust of Winston Churchill with a statue of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. The bust had been a gift from British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s family in 1965, in honor of Churchill’s death that year. The statue had a place of honor in the Oval Office until Obama’s decision.
Trump’s Plan to Restore the Bust
When Donald Trump took office in 2016, he reinstated the Churchill bust in the Oval Office, reflecting his admiration for the British leader. Trump had often praised Churchill, even calling him his “hero.” He also cited the film The Darkest Hour, in which Gary Oldman played Churchill, as his favorite movie.
The Bust’s Return to the White House
Now, Trump is set to return the bust to its place in the Oval Office after Biden removed it. Biden had replaced it with a statue of César Chávez, the US civil rights leader. According to sources close to Trump, restoring the bust will be one of the first actions he takes upon returning to the White House.
Why is Winston Churchill Important to Donald Trump?
Donald Trump’s admiration for Winston Churchill is well-known. He has frequently spoken about Churchill’s leadership during World War II and his lasting influence on history. Trump’s deep respect for Churchill was also seen in his visit to Blenheim Palace, Churchill’s birthplace, during his presidency. Trump met with the Duke of Marlborough, who owns the estate, and developed a close relationship with him.
A Symbol of Strong US-Britain Relations
The return of the bust has significant political symbolism, particularly for US-Britain relations. Former British MP Rory Stewart expressed his pleasure at the news, highlighting the importance of maintaining a strong and positive relationship between the two nations, regardless of personal political views.
FAQs
- Why did Joe Biden remove Churchill’s bust from the White House? President Biden replaced the bust of Winston Churchill with a statue of César Chávez to honor the US civil rights movement.
- When did Donald Trump bring back Churchill’s bust to the White House? Trump restored the bust of Churchill to the Oval Office after he was elected president in 2016.
- What is the significance of Winston Churchill’s bust in the Oval Office? The bust symbolizes the close relationship between the US and the UK, with Churchill representing British leadership during World War II.
- Why does Donald Trump admire Winston Churchill? Trump sees Churchill as a great leader and hero, particularly for his leadership during World War II.
- What does the return of the bust mean for US-British relations? The bust’s return symbolizes the continuation of a positive relationship between the two nations, as highlighted by British political figures.
