Donald Trump backs a united Ireland during Dublin meetings with Irish leaders

US President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that he would love to see Ireland unified with Northern Ireland, describing the outcome as something that is going to happen eventually. Speaking alongside Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Farmleigh House in Dublin, Trump argued that unification would be a positive development for both communities on the island. His comments directly addressed the long-standing constitutional division that dates back to the 1921 Government of Ireland Act, which separated Northern Ireland from what became the independent Republic of Ireland.

During the joint appearance, Trump insisted that unifying the island would benefit both sides of the border.

I will tell you, I'd love to see it unified. I have friends on both sides, great people. They're Irish people. How can they be bad, right?

Trump acknowledged that the British government would play a central role in any constitutional change regarding Northern Ireland, which remains part of the United Kingdom under the framework of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated in August that a referendum on a united Ireland was off the table. Pointing to Martin, Trump suggested the Taoiseach was the right person to advance the process, adding that reunification could happen sooner rather than later.

Now the UK will have something to say about this, but I think it would be a great thing. I mean, how can it be bad?

Political contrast and official meetings

Before meeting Martin, Trump visited Irish President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin in Phoenix Park. Connolly, a left-wing politician and ceremonial head of state who previously criticized US policy in the Middle East and protested Trump's 2019 trip, received him on a red carpet. The Irish Defence Forces band performed the US national anthem, and Trump inspected an Irish Army honor guard before the two held closed-door discussions with their delegations.

Martin and his wife, Mary O'Shea, later greeted Trump at Farmleigh House for bilateral discussions covering diplomatic and economic relations. Ahead of the meeting, the Taoiseach welcomed the opportunity to reaffirm transatlantic relations.

I look forward to welcoming President Trump to Ireland and to discussing the many issues of mutual interest and reaffirming the strong economic, cultural and people-to-people ties between Ireland and the United States.

Dublin itinerary and Doonbeg visit

Police secured a perimeter around the 1,750-acre (700-hectare) Phoenix Park during the presidential meetings. Trump downplayed demonstrations against his presence, stating that he saw no protesters after landing at Dublin Airport shortly after 8:00. Following the Farmleigh press conference, his schedule included an address to US and Irish business leaders at Deerfield, the official residence of the US ambassador located inside Phoenix Park.

Following his Dublin engagements, Trump traveled across the country to his oceanfront golf resort in Doonbeg on the Atlantic coast. The property is hosting the Irish Open tournament across the weekend. Martin noted that he hoped an Irish golfer would win the tournament on Sunday, while Trump indicated interest in returning to Ireland for the Ryder Cup tournament scheduled for next year.