President Trump Thursday hailed the upcoming Columbus Day holiday , taking credit for returning its traditional focus as a celebration of Italian-American pride.

“In other words, we’re calling it Columbus Day,” Trump said at a White House cabinet meeting.

“We’re back, Italians,” he added. “We love the Italians.”

In announcing the federal holiday on Monday, Trump portrayed his action as restoring the luster to a holiday that has become controversial in recent years as critics reassess Columbus’ mixed historical legacy.

“Our nation will now abide by a simple truth: Christopher Columbus was a true American hero, and every citizen is eternally indebted to his relentless determination,” Trump said in a proclamation.

He said he was restoring Columbus Day as a federal holiday, but its

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