US republican Presidential
candidate Donald Trump on Wednesday appeared to disagree over
whether their recent appearance at a US rally had been planned
by both sides.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, excerpts of
which were published by La Repubblica, Trump was quoted as
saying "I didn't want to meet him".
Trump also distanced himself from European populists
including Salvini and Salvini's European ally, France's Marine
Le Pen.
Trump's statements contradicted a photo of him and Salvini
as well as a recent statement to the Wall Stret Journal:
"Matteo, I hope you soon become the new Italian premier".
Salvini gave his version of the affair in an interview with
Repubblica.it:
"This thing makes me laugh a lot. The entire content of that
interview is incredible. I'll tell you there are at least a
dozen e-mail preparing that meeting".
Asked if there was anything "impromptu" about the encounter,
or whether he had "played Forrest Gump", Salvini said "No, I can
assure you. I didn't jump on a plane with a baseball cap and a
flag."
He said the meeting took place "about a month ago in
Pennsylvania, outside Philadelphia. It was the Republican
convention".
Asked why Trump was apparently distancing himself from him
and Le Pen, Salvini said: "I have no idea, it seems very strange
to me".
Asked if he was still rooting for Trump, Salvini said:
"Absolutely yes. We have very many points in common".
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