Trump voices support for Irish unity at Doonbeg
US President Donald Trump used a visit to the Irish Open golf tournament in Doonbeg, County Clare, to reiterate his support for a united Ireland, telling reporters on Sunday that "you have Northern Ireland and you have Ireland and it would seem to me that one of the naturals of all time is to put them together."
Speaking on day two of his visit, Trump added: "That's only my opinion, and by the way many people agree." He made the comments while attending the tournament at his own golf resort, Trump International Golf Links.
The remarks echoed a statement he made a day earlier in Dublin, where he was meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Asked about the then-upcoming comments, Martin said they did not come as a "surprise" to him, according to reports from the Irish Times.
Trump also referenced the reaction to his intervention, saying "I love my comments" when asked about backlash. He said he had friends on both sides of the border, describing them as "great people" in reference to the Irish communities.
No comment on Scotland
When asked about Scottish independence, Trump declined to engage, saying: "You asked about Scotland. That one I won't talk about yet. I'll save that for another day." He also did not respond to questions about a timeline for Irish unity.
At a later event at the US Ambassador's residence, Trump reflected on the difficulty of the question, saying: "That's one of those questions where no matter what you say, no matter how well you say it, there's no good answer, right?"
UK and Irish responses
The UK prime minister's office said its position on Northern Ireland was unchanged, according to BBC News. In a separate development, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham—who, according to reports, is the leader of the Labour Party and the UK's prime minister—said there would not be another referendum on reunification unless there was evident desire for one.
"I am not aware that there is [such a desire]," Burnham said, as reported by BBC. A spokesperson for Burnham later said his position on Irish unification remained unchanged.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin, speaking at The Open, referred to Trump asking about a "merger" of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland at an earlier event, according to Al Jazeera. He did not express surprise at the president's latest statements.
Unionist criticism
Unionist leaders in Northern Ireland criticised Trump's remarks. Gavin Robinson, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, said Northern Ireland's future would be decided by its people, not by "commentary in London, Dublin or Washington."
The Irish Times reported that more than 10,000 people marched through Dublin to show opposition to the US president. The march took place amid ongoing political sensitivity around Trump's comments on the region.
Trump's comments in context
Trump's fresh comments double down on his earlier statement in Dublin on Saturday, where he said he would "love to see" a united Ireland, a remark that drew attention given its political sensitivity. He was asked about the matter during a meeting with Martin, and his response was described by the Irish Times as "consistent" with his view that he sees unity in Ireland as the optimal outcome.
During the same appearance at the Irish Open, Trump also said he would give adult US citizens a $5,000 "dividend" if the Republican Party keeps control of Congress after the midterm elections. He announced the plan earlier in the week, drawing skepticism from legal experts, according to ABC Australia.