Trump says he would ‘love’ to see unified Ireland and ‘it may as well happen now’ as he visits Dublin – as it happened | Ireland | The Guardian  (donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates.html)   (../../../../../../assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/manifest.json)  (https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/icons/homescreen/apple-touch-icon.svg) (https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/icons/homescreen/apple-touch-icon-512.png) (https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/icons/homescreen/apple-touch-icon-360.png) (https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/icons/homescreen/apple-touch-icon-240.png) (https://assets.guim.co.uk/static/frontend/icons/homescreen/apple-touch-icon-120.png) (../../../../../../static.guim.co.uk/images/favicon-32x32.ico) (https://assets.guim.co.uk/) (https://i.guim.co.uk) (https://j.ophan.co.uk) (https://ophan.theguardian.com) (https://sourcepoint.theguardian.com) (https://assets.guim.co.uk/) (https://i.guim.co.uk) 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Sat 12 Sep 2026 04.04 EDT   (mailto:?subject=Trump says he would ‘love’ to see unified Ireland and ‘it may as well happen now’ as he visits Dublin – as it happened&body=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url) Share                   Key events  (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa5600c8f08f0e737cbd4ea#block-6aa5600c8f08f0e737cbd4ea) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 10:42 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 6h ago  Closing summary   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa559ab8f08f0e737cbd4a7#block-6aa559ab8f08f0e737cbd4a7) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 10:08 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 7h ago  'US must stop facilitating genocide of Palestinian people,' says Sinn Féin leader   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa557868f081c4c84515d70#block-6aa557868f081c4c84515d70) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 09:53 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 7h ago  Trump arrives at Shannon airport for Irish Open   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa54f8d8f081c4c84515d2c#block-6aa54f8d8f081c4c84515d2c) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 09:19 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 8h ago  Badenoch hits back at Trump over unity comments   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa54d798f081c4c84515d1f#block-6aa54d798f081c4c84515d1f) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 09:11 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 8h ago  'War and genocide can never be accepted,' says Connolly   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa536338f08f44a1b8da6a2#block-6aa536338f08f44a1b8da6a2) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 07:32 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 10h ago  Burnham's position on Irish unification remains unchanged, says PM spokesperson   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa532098f08f44a1b8da689#block-6aa532098f08f44a1b8da689) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 07:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 10h ago  Trump says Ireland unity 'would be cool'   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa52e3e8f08f0e737cbd396#block-6aa52e3e8f08f0e737cbd396) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 06:54 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 10h ago  Martin spokesperson says Trump’s unity comments won’t change policy   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa529548f08f44a1b8da65c#block-6aa529548f08f44a1b8da65c) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 06:39 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 10h ago  Trump says he could settle Falklands row   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa528188f08f0e737cbd36d#block-6aa528188f08f0e737cbd36d) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 06:28 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 11h ago  Houthis asked US not to intervene, Trump says   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa5246c8f081c4c84515c19#block-6aa5246c8f081c4c84515c19) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 06:11 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 11h ago  Trump: I'd love to see a unified Ireland   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa521d08f08f44a1b8da626#block-6aa521d08f08f44a1b8da626) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 05:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 11h ago  Trump: Iran war will end after US midterm elections   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa51fce8f081c4c84515c01#block-6aa51fce8f081c4c84515c01) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 05:55 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 11h ago  Iran war will end very soon, says Trump   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa51c0e8f08f0e737cbd31d#block-6aa51c0e8f08f0e737cbd31d) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 05:39 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 11h ago  Trump meets taoiseach Micheál Martin   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa517378f08f44a1b8da5ec#block-6aa517378f08f44a1b8da5ec) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 05:29 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 12h ago  Trump on Hormuz crisis: 'Everything will work out fine'   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa50f2f8f081c4c84515bb4#block-6aa50f2f8f081c4c84515bb4) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 04:46 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 12h ago  Visit highlights 'deep interpersonal links' between US and Ireland, says Irish deputy premier   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa50db68f08f44a1b8da5bc#block-6aa50db68f08f44a1b8da5bc) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 04:36 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 12h ago  Trump meets Irish president Catherine Connolly   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa4fef88f08f44a1b8da579#block-6aa4fef88f08f44a1b8da579) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 04:04 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 13h ago  Trump begins two-day visit to Ireland                                (Taoiseach Micheal Martin and US President Donald Trump.)          Taoiseach Micheal Martin and US President Donald Trump. Photograph: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images     (donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates.html#img-1)   View image in fullscreen       Taoiseach Micheal Martin and US President Donald Trump. Photograph: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images             (https://www.theguardian.com/profile/taz-ali) Taz Ali and  (https://www.theguardian.com/profile/hamish-mackay) Hamish Mackay   Sat 12 Sep 2026 10.42 EDT  First published on Sat 12 Sep 2026 04.04 EDT   (mailto:?subject=Trump says he would ‘love’ to see unified Ireland and ‘it may as well happen now’ as he visits Dublin – as it happened&body=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url) Share                     From(Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 06:11 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 11h ago    (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa5246c8f081c4c84515c19#block-6aa5246c8f081c4c84515c19) 06.11 EDT   Trump: I'd love to see a unified Ireland  Trump has weighed in on the question of Irish unity, saying he would “love to see it unified” and predicting that a united (https://www.theguardian.com/world/ireland) Ireland is “going to happen eventually”. He suggested it “may as well happen now” and appeared to cast Micheál Martin as the person to help make it happen. He said: double quotation mark   Well, I don’t want to cause any problems, but 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? I’d love to see it unified. I think it would be a great feather in everybody’s cap if that happened. It’s going to happen eventually. You know what? The way I look at it, it’s going to happen eventually. It may as well happen now.  We’re talking about it and you got the right man over here to get it moving. But, yeah, I think it would be a fantastic thing. Now the UK will have something to say about it, obviously. But I think it would be a great thing. I mean, how can it be bad?”      (Donald Trump and Micheal Martin shake hands.)       Donald Trump during a meeting with Micheal Martin at Farmleigh House. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA  (mailto:?subject=Trump says he would ‘love’ to see unified Ireland and ‘it may as well happen now’ as he visits Dublin – as it happened&body=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6aa5246c8f081c4c84515c19#block-6aa5246c8f081c4c84515c19) Share     Updated at (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 06:16 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 06.16 EDT               Key events  (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa5600c8f08f0e737cbd4ea#block-6aa5600c8f08f0e737cbd4ea) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 10:42 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 6h ago  Closing summary   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa559ab8f08f0e737cbd4a7#block-6aa559ab8f08f0e737cbd4a7) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 10:08 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 7h ago  'US must stop facilitating genocide of Palestinian people,' says Sinn Féin leader   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa557868f081c4c84515d70#block-6aa557868f081c4c84515d70) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 09:53 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 7h ago  Trump arrives at Shannon airport for Irish Open   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa54f8d8f081c4c84515d2c#block-6aa54f8d8f081c4c84515d2c) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 09:19 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 8h ago  Badenoch hits back at Trump over unity comments   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa54d798f081c4c84515d1f#block-6aa54d798f081c4c84515d1f) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 09:11 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 8h ago  'War and genocide can never be accepted,' says Connolly   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa536338f08f44a1b8da6a2#block-6aa536338f08f44a1b8da6a2) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 07:32 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 10h ago  Burnham's position on Irish unification remains unchanged, says PM spokesperson   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa532098f08f44a1b8da689#block-6aa532098f08f44a1b8da689) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 07:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 10h ago  Trump says Ireland unity 'would be cool'   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa52e3e8f08f0e737cbd396#block-6aa52e3e8f08f0e737cbd396) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 06:54 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 10h ago  Martin spokesperson says Trump’s unity comments won’t change policy   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa529548f08f44a1b8da65c#block-6aa529548f08f44a1b8da65c) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 06:39 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 10h ago  Trump says he could settle Falklands row   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa528188f08f0e737cbd36d#block-6aa528188f08f0e737cbd36d) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 06:28 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 11h ago  Houthis asked US not to intervene, Trump says   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa5246c8f081c4c84515c19#block-6aa5246c8f081c4c84515c19) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 06:11 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 11h ago  Trump: I'd love to see a unified Ireland   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa521d08f08f44a1b8da626#block-6aa521d08f08f44a1b8da626) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 05:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 11h ago  Trump: Iran war will end after US midterm elections   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa51fce8f081c4c84515c01#block-6aa51fce8f081c4c84515c01) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 05:55 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 11h ago  Iran war will end very soon, says Trump   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa51c0e8f08f0e737cbd31d#block-6aa51c0e8f08f0e737cbd31d) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 05:39 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 11h ago  Trump meets taoiseach Micheál Martin   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa517378f08f44a1b8da5ec#block-6aa517378f08f44a1b8da5ec) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 05:29 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 12h ago  Trump on Hormuz crisis: 'Everything will work out fine'   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa50f2f8f081c4c84515bb4#block-6aa50f2f8f081c4c84515bb4) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 04:46 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 12h ago  Visit highlights 'deep interpersonal links' between US and Ireland, says Irish deputy premier   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa50db68f08f44a1b8da5bc#block-6aa50db68f08f44a1b8da5bc) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 04:36 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 12h ago  Trump meets Irish president Catherine Connolly   (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa4fef88f08f44a1b8da579#block-6aa4fef88f08f44a1b8da579) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 04:04 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 13h ago  Trump begins two-day visit to Ireland                 (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa5600c8f08f0e737cbd4ea#block-6aa5600c8f08f0e737cbd4ea) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 10:42 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 6h ago   10.42 EDT   Closing summary  That’s all from us on the (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/us-politics) US politics blog, thanks for following along. Here is a recap of the day’s developments: While in Ireland for a two-day visit that combined political meetings with a stop at his Doonbeg golf resort, (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/donaldtrump) Donald Trump said he backed Irish reunification . He said he would “love to see” a united Ireland and that it “may as well happen now”. He added that unification would happen eventually and suggested it would be “fantastic”.  His comments prompted a backlash from unionists and UK politicians.  Andy Burnham’s position on Irish unification remains unchanged, a spokesperson for the prime minister said. Earlier this week, Burnham said he would stick to the Good Friday agreement “100%” and that there would be no referendum without majority public support.  Similarly, Micheál Martin’s government said Trump’s comments would not change its position , with a spokesperson saying it was committed to the Good Friday agreement and programme for government.  Irish president Catherine Connolly used her meeting with Trump to stress Ireland’s opposition to war and genocide , saying the normalisation of either “can never be accepted”.       (Ireland's prime minister Micheál Martin shakes hands with US president Donald Trump.)   (donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates.html#img-2)   View image in fullscreen       Ireland's prime minister Micheál Martin shakes hands with US president Donald Trump during a meeting at Farmleigh House in Dublin. Photograph: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP  Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald called on Trump to apply the lessons of the Northern (https://www.theguardian.com/world/ireland) Ireland peace process to Palestine , urging the US to end arms sales to Israel and “stop facilitating the genocide of Palestinian people”.  The US president also weighed in on the Falkland Islands row , questioning whether Britain would be willing to defend the islands and saying he could potentially help settle the dispute between the UK and Argentina.  Trump said the war with Iran would end “very soon”, possibly after the US midterm elections in November, adding that he expected oil prices to “come tumbling down” afterwards.  When asked about the crisis engulfing the strait of Hormuz, he said: “Everything will work out fine.”  Trump ended his Dublin engagements before heading to Doonbeg , where he arrived at his golf resort for an afternoon of golf and an overnight stay, with the Irish Open taking place on the course.   Our Ireland correspondent (https://www.theguardian.com/profile/rorycarroll) Rory Carroll  has the full report here: (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-says-he-would-love-to-see-united-ireland)  Donald Trump says he would ‘love’ to see united Ireland     Read more        (mailto:?subject=Trump says he would ‘love’ to see unified Ireland and ‘it may as well happen now’ as he visits Dublin – as it happened&body=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6aa5600c8f08f0e737cbd4ea#block-6aa5600c8f08f0e737cbd4ea) Share           (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa55fbf8f081c4c84515dc1#block-6aa55fbf8f081c4c84515dc1) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 10:22 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 7h ago   10.22 EDT    Trump has landed in Doonbeg, where he will stay overnight and present the Irish Open trophy before returning to Washington tomorrow.     (Security officers on the ground after Marine One lands in Doonbeg.)   (donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates.html#img-3)   View image in fullscreen       Donald Trump lands in Marine One to attend the Irish Open in Doonbeg. Photograph: Damien Eagers/PA  (mailto:?subject=Trump says he would ‘love’ to see unified Ireland and ‘it may as well happen now’ as he visits Dublin – as it happened&body=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6aa55fbf8f081c4c84515dc1#block-6aa55fbf8f081c4c84515dc1) Share       (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa55d228f08f0e737cbd4d4#block-6aa55d228f08f0e737cbd4d4) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 10:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 7h ago   10.20 EDT    On Trump’s comments on Irish unification, McDonald said they should prompt the Irish government to start preparing for a united (https://www.theguardian.com/world/ireland) Ireland .  Sinn Féin has long campaigned for Irish unification and supports holding a referendum on the issue when the conditions set out in the Good Friday Agreement are met. Under the 1998 peace deal, the Northern Ireland secretary of state should call a referendum if it appears likely that a majority would vote in favour. “President Trump’s comments on Irish reunification are timely. The taoiseach must now begin planning for a united Ireland,” McDonald said. (mailto:?subject=Trump says he would ‘love’ to see unified Ireland and ‘it may as well happen now’ as he visits Dublin – as it happened&body=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6aa55d228f08f0e737cbd4d4#block-6aa55d228f08f0e737cbd4d4) Share       (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa559ab8f08f0e737cbd4a7#block-6aa559ab8f08f0e737cbd4a7) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 10:08 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 7h ago   10.08 EDT   'US must stop facilitating genocide of Palestinian people,' says Sinn Féin leader  In a message to (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/donaldtrump) Donald Trump , Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has called on the US to end arms supplies to Israel and “stop facilitating the genocide of Palestinian people”.  Her party has been a strong advocate for Palestinian rights and has urged for Israel to face greater accountability over its actions in Gaza. “The US plays a critical role in supporting peace in (https://www.theguardian.com/world/ireland) Ireland . That same commitment to diplomacy and peace must be applied to Palestine,” McDonald said in a post on X.     (Mary Lou McDonald speaking to media at an event.)   (donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates.html#img-4)   View image in fullscreen       Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has called on the US to end arms sales to Israel after Donald Trump’s visit to Ireland. Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA  (mailto:?subject=Trump says he would ‘love’ to see unified Ireland and ‘it may as well happen now’ as he visits Dublin – as it happened&body=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6aa559ab8f08f0e737cbd4a7#block-6aa559ab8f08f0e737cbd4a7) Share           (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa557868f081c4c84515d70#block-6aa557868f081c4c84515d70) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 09:53 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 7h ago   09.53 EDT   Trump arrives at Shannon airport for Irish Open  Donald Trump and his entourage have arrived at Shannon Airport. The US president disembarked Air Force One, shook hands with Irish ministers and waved to the cameras before hopping aboard Marine One, the presidential helicopter, for the journey to Doonbeg.     (Trump disembarking Air Force One.)   (donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates.html#img-5)   View image in fullscreen       Donald Trump arrives on Air Force One at Shannon airport. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA      (Trump shakes hands with Timmy Dooley.)   (donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates.html#img-6)   View image in fullscreen       Trump is greeted by Ireland's minister for state, Timmy Dooley. Photograph: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP      (Donald Trump waves as he walks to Marine One.)   (donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates.html#img-7)   View image in fullscreen       Trump waves before boarding Marine One. Photograph: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP  (mailto:?subject=Trump says he would ‘love’ to see unified Ireland and ‘it may as well happen now’ as he visits Dublin – as it happened&body=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6aa557868f081c4c84515d70#block-6aa557868f081c4c84515d70) Share       (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa556638f08f0e737cbd48a#block-6aa556638f08f0e737cbd48a) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 09:43 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 7h ago   09.43 EDT    Garda officers await the arrival of US president (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/donaldtrump) Donald Trump at his golf resort in Doonbeg on day three of the Irish Open.     (Dozens of officers and vehicles at the golf resort.)   (donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates.html#img-8)   View image in fullscreen       Photograph: Damien Eagers/PA  (mailto:?subject=Trump says he would ‘love’ to see unified Ireland and ‘it may as well happen now’ as he visits Dublin – as it happened&body=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6aa556638f08f0e737cbd48a#block-6aa556638f08f0e737cbd48a) Share           (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa552268f081c4c84515d38#block-6aa552268f081c4c84515d38) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 09:29 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 8h ago   09.29 EDT    Trump has departed Dublin and is due to arrive in Shannon shortly, before travelling to Doonbeg to spend the afternoon at his golf resort.     (A crowd of people watch Air Force One fly past.)   (donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates.html#img-9)   View image in fullscreen       Spectators watch as Air Force One, carrying US president Donald Trump, flies over the Irish Open in Doonbeg. Photograph: Damien Eagers/PA  (mailto:?subject=Trump says he would ‘love’ to see unified Ireland and ‘it may as well happen now’ as he visits Dublin – as it happened&body=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6aa552268f081c4c84515d38#block-6aa552268f081c4c84515d38) Share       (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa54f8d8f081c4c84515d2c#block-6aa54f8d8f081c4c84515d2c) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 09:19 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 8h ago   09.19 EDT   Badenoch hits back at Trump over unity comments  Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has waded into the row over Trump’s (https://www.theguardian.com/world/ireland) Ireland unity comments, accusing the US president of “shooting from the hip” and describing his remarks as “deeply unhelpful”.  In a post on X, she said: double quotation mark   President Trump is shooting from the hip as usual, just like he did with Greenland and Canada becoming the 51st state. This sort of loose talk about the future of democratic countries is deeply unhelpful and creates unnecessary tension.   Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. At a time when separatists are in power in Scotland, Wales and NI, we need a Government that will defend the Union clearly and confidently.  The Conservative and Unionist Party as is our true name will always defend the union. I would like to see the same clarity from Andy Burnham, rather than entertaining the idea of more independence referenda as he did on Wednesday at PMQs.      (Kemi Badenoch speaking on stage at an event.)   (donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates.html#img-10)   View image in fullscreen       Kemi Badenoch said Donald Trump’s unity comments were ‘unhelpful’. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA  (mailto:?subject=Trump says he would ‘love’ to see unified Ireland and ‘it may as well happen now’ as he visits Dublin – as it happened&body=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6aa54f8d8f081c4c84515d2c#block-6aa54f8d8f081c4c84515d2c) Share         (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa54d798f081c4c84515d1f#block-6aa54d798f081c4c84515d1f) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 09:11 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 8h ago   09.11 EDT   'War and genocide can never be accepted,' says Connolly  Irish president Catherine Connolly has issued a statement about her meeting with (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/donaldtrump) Donald Trump , saying “war and genocide can never be accepted”.  double quotation mark   As President of Ireland, I am very conscious that Ireland and the United States of America are bound by strong ties. This is a deep connection, built over centuries, which allows us to speak openly to one another. We are in a world facing the existential threat posed by war and climate change, both of which are inextricably interlinked. I conveyed the strong view of the Irish people that the normalisation of war and genocide can never be accepted. As a country which has suffered famine, colonisation and the violence of the Troubles, but also the importance of the long and challenging road to peace, I emphasised the unique insight which Irish people can bring to the resolution of conflict.”      (Catherine Connolly and Donald Trump walking side by side.)   (donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates.html#img-11)   View image in fullscreen       Ireland's president Catherine Connolly greets Donald Trump at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin. Photograph: Neil Hall/EPA  (mailto:?subject=Trump says he would ‘love’ to see unified Ireland and ‘it may as well happen now’ as he visits Dublin – as it happened&body=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6aa54d798f081c4c84515d1f#block-6aa54d798f081c4c84515d1f) Share         (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa549398f081c4c84515d0a#block-6aa549398f081c4c84515d0a) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 08:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 8h ago   08.47 EDT    A large crowd is gathering in the centre of Dublin to voice their opposition to Trump’s visit to (https://www.theguardian.com/world/ireland) Ireland . The march is beginning at the city’s garden of remembrance. Participants are carrying banners and flags, and chanting: “Donald Trump, can you hear? We don’t want you here.”     (A protester in Dublin.)   (donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates.html#img-12)   View image in fullscreen       A protester in Dublin.  Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images      (A protester in Dublin.)   (donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates.html#img-13)   View image in fullscreen       A protester in Dublin. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images      (Protesters in Dublin.)   (donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates.html#img-14)   View image in fullscreen       Protesters in Dublin. Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA  (mailto:?subject=Trump says he would ‘love’ to see unified Ireland and ‘it may as well happen now’ as he visits Dublin – as it happened&body=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6aa549398f081c4c84515d0a#block-6aa549398f081c4c84515d0a) Share     Updated at (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 08:48 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 08.48 EDT        (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa5426b8f081c4c84515cc8#block-6aa5426b8f081c4c84515cc8) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 08:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 9h ago   08.20 EDT    Northern Ireland’s leading unionist parties, the DUP and UUP, have hit back at Trump’s call for a unified (https://www.theguardian.com/world/ireland) Ireland . DUP leader Gavin Robinson posted on X: double quotation mark   President Trump knows better than most that elections matter. Northern Ireland’s constitutional future will be decided by the people of Northern Ireland, not by commentary in London, Dublin or Washington. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom because that is the settled democratic will of its people. I am confident NI will continue to choose the UK and the security it offers. As unionists we are not interested in the destruction of our country by joining with the Irish Republic.  TUV leader Jim Allister said Trump “is not the first US president to meddle in the affairs which don’t concern him”. He added: double quotation mark   Northern Ireland is not a pawn in Trump’s fall-out with the UK. Our constitutional future does not depend on him or any other foreign dignitary.  Ulster Unionist Party Leader Jon Burrows MLA said the US president “like anyone else in the world, is entitled to express his view on the constitutional future of another country”, before adding: double quotation mark   But the only people whose decision counts are the people of Northern Ireland. That is the principle of consent, now enshrined in law through the Belfast Agreement, negotiated and delivered by the Ulster Unionist Party. America has been, and remains, an important ally, from the Second World War and the global fight against terrorism to the defence of democracy around the world. Their businesses increasingly see that our workforce here is the best in the world. But when all is said and done, Northern Ireland’s future will be decided by the people of Northern Ireland. I am confident that we are safer, more secure and more prosperous within the United Kingdom, and that is where we will remain.  (mailto:?subject=Trump says he would ‘love’ to see unified Ireland and ‘it may as well happen now’ as he visits Dublin – as it happened&body=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6aa5426b8f081c4c84515cc8#block-6aa5426b8f081c4c84515cc8) Share     Updated at (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 08:51 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 08.51 EDT      (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa53e438f08f44a1b8da6cc#block-6aa53e438f08f44a1b8da6cc) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 9h ago   08.00 EDT    Trump has finish his speech at Deerfield, ending on a warm note as he praised (https://www.theguardian.com/world/ireland) Ireland and its people. “This country is fantastic, it’s just a fantastic place, I love it,” he said. “I have investments here but that’s not why I love it. I like it because of it’s special people, you have unbelievable people in Ireland.” (mailto:?subject=Trump says he would ‘love’ to see unified Ireland and ‘it may as well happen now’ as he visits Dublin – as it happened&body=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6aa53e438f08f44a1b8da6cc#block-6aa53e438f08f44a1b8da6cc) Share       (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa53be28f081c4c84515c9d#block-6aa53be28f081c4c84515c9d) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 07:57 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 9h ago   07.57 EDT    Speaking of the Irish people, there have been protests in Dublin against Trump’s visit.  When he was asked earlier about the demonstrations, the US president said: “I didn’t know there was a protest. It can’t be a very big one because we’ve been all over (https://www.theguardian.com/world/ireland) Ireland today already, it’s early in the morning… but I haven’t seen any protest, It’s a friendly protest.”     (Protesters holding signs reading 'Trump - Irish Open. Not open to genocide'.)   (donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates.html#img-15)   View image in fullscreen       People take part in an anti-Trump protest march through Dublin city centre during Donald Trump's trip to Ireland.  Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA      (A man with orange fake tan holding a Trump baby balloon.)   (donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates.html#img-16)   View image in fullscreen       Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA      (A man holding a sign reading 'Feck off orange turd')   (donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates.html#img-17)   View image in fullscreen       Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA      (A pink blown up mannequin depicting Trump on a wheelchair next to a banner reading 'Action against war')   (donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates.html#img-18)   View image in fullscreen       Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA  (mailto:?subject=Trump says he would ‘love’ to see unified Ireland and ‘it may as well happen now’ as he visits Dublin – as it happened&body=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6aa53be28f081c4c84515c9d#block-6aa53be28f081c4c84515c9d) Share           (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa53a318f08f0e737cbd3d0#block-6aa53a318f08f0e737cbd3d0) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 07:46 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 9h ago   07.46 EDT    Back to Trump’s speech, where he has offered his assessment of the Irish people, praising them for their warmth and friendliness before warning they can be “vicious bastards”.  double quotation mark   You know they say you can’t generalise about groups of people, countries, but you can. People love coming to Ireland. You know why? Because they love you. They love the people. There’s a friendliness. There’s also a viciousness and a toughness. Let me tell you, you are some of the most vicious bastards... but when you want to be nice, there is nobody nicer.”      (Trump speaking on stage.)   (donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates.html#img-19)   View image in fullscreen       Donald Trump delivers remarks at Deerfield in Dublin. Photograph: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP  (mailto:?subject=Trump says he would ‘love’ to see unified Ireland and ‘it may as well happen now’ as he visits Dublin – as it happened&body=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6aa53a318f08f0e737cbd3d0#block-6aa53a318f08f0e737cbd3d0) Share       (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa536338f08f44a1b8da6a2#block-6aa536338f08f44a1b8da6a2) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 07:32 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 10h ago   07.32 EDT   Burnham's position on Irish unification remains unchanged, says PM spokesperson  Prime minister ⁠Andy Burnham’s position on Irish unification remains unchanged, ⁠ a spokesperson said. It came after Donald Trump ​told reporters after a ​meeting with Micheál Martin ​in Dublin that unification would (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa5246c8f081c4c84515c19#block-6aa5246c8f081c4c84515c19) “happen eventually”.  (https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/sep/09/uk-israel-west-bank-ed-miliband-andy-burnham-uk-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa175d78f08518e711dd4b6#block-6aa175d78f08518e711dd4b6) During prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, Burnham said he would stick to the Good Friday agreement “100%”.  “I am not aware that there is majority public support for another referendum, and until that changes, there will not be one,” he said. (mailto:?subject=Trump says he would ‘love’ to see unified Ireland and ‘it may as well happen now’ as he visits Dublin – as it happened&body=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6aa536338f08f44a1b8da6a2#block-6aa536338f08f44a1b8da6a2) Share       (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa534068f08f44a1b8da695#block-6aa534068f08f44a1b8da695) (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 07:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 10h ago   07.20 EDT    PA reports that among the gifts (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/donaldtrump) Donald Trump received from Irish president Catherine Connolly was a St Brigid’s Cross, traditionally associated with peace, along with a collection of poetry that included Michael Longley’s sonnet Ceasefire.  The symbolism of the gifts is rather hard to miss. As our Ireland correspondent, (https://www.theguardian.com/profile/rorycarroll) Rory Carroll ,  writes in his (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/11/ireland-president-catherine-connolly-meet-donald-trump-dublin) report ahead of Trump’s visit to Dublin, Connolly was a vocal critic of Trump before becoming president: double quotation mark   Before (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/25/catherine-connolly-ireland-presidential-election-leftwing) winning the Irish presidency – a ceremonial post – last year, Connolly was an independent leftwing member of parliament for Galway who protested against Trump’s (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/04/doonbeg-why-one-irish-village-wont-join-the-trump-protests) 2019 visit and more recently assailed him over his positions and policies on Gaza, Iran and other issues. “If we are going to act as an independent sovereign state, a neutral republic, we must use our voice to speak to power and the abuse of power by president Trump,” she said. Asked in March about the criticism, Trump replied: “He’s lucky I exist.”      (Donald Trump looking towards Catherine Connolly.)   (donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates.html#img-20)   View image in fullscreen       Donald Trump looks on besides Irish president Catherine Connolly during an arrival ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin. Photograph: Kylie Cooper/Reuters  (mailto:?subject=Trump says he would ‘love’ to see unified Ireland and ‘it may as well happen now’ as he visits Dublin – as it happened&body=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6aa534068f08f44a1b8da695#block-6aa534068f08f44a1b8da695) Share     Updated at (Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 07:22 AM Eastern Daylight Time) 07.22 EDT      1 of 3  (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa532098f08f44a1b8da689#liveblog-navigation) Next    (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/sep/12/donald-trump-ireland-golf-catherine-connolly-us-politics-latest-news-updates?page=with%3Ablock-6aa4fef88f08f44a1b8da579#liveblog-navigation) Oldest     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