Donald Trump has promoted an interview given by Matteo Salvini. On the social platform Truth, the U.S. president highlighted remarks the League leader made in February to Breitbart News, a reference site for the American alt-right. The interview was conducted during the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in February, before Trump’s recent criticisms of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Italy over what he described as insufficient NATO support for the U.S. campaign against Iran.

Trump, based on the post, appears to welcome Salvini’s expressions of thanks. Salvini said: “I thank President Trump for the courage and for the cultural foundations he is giving to an economic and political project, because it is essential to provide a cultural base of values and ideals; otherwise everything fades.” He added that this seems to mark a difference between Trump’s first and second terms, with greater attention now – including from figures like Vance – to a deep cultural context rather than only superficial economic issues. “This is what we are also trying to do, with difficulty,” he said.

“We were the only ones to openly support President Trump, both in his first and second terms. It was a good conversation,” Salvini said, referring to contact with the vice president, who traveled to Italy during the Winter Games. “I hope the next one will take place in the United States. I hope to visit America soon. We are organizing a mission to the United States on public works, infrastructure and railways, and I hope to carry it out within the year.”