DUBLIN, IRELAND — President Donald Trump shared a lighthearted story about First Lady Melania Trump during his visit to Ireland on Saturday, September 12, explaining why she decided to skip the seven-hour journey.
Speaking at the U.S. ambassador’s residence, Trump told the audience that Melania sent her regards and was following the visit from afar. When he asked her why she wouldn’t join him, her response was more about her mood than a busy schedule.
“My wife is here in spirit. She’s watching right now,” Trump said, adding that she asked him to say hello to people she knows in Ireland.
Trump then recounted asking her to come along for the trip: “I said, well, ‘Why don’t you come with me?’ She said, ‘Well, it’s a seven-hour trip. Maybe I’m not that friendly.’”
He joked that he tried one final time to convince her, telling her, “Put on a Make America Great Again hat, and come on, let’s go.” The story drew laughter from the audience.
During his visit, Trump also addressed regional politics, stating that he would welcome the possibility of a united Ireland while acknowledging that the United Kingdom would ultimately have a say in the matter.
(Video of Trump’s remarks during his Ireland visit is included below.)
Trump Weighs In on Irish Unity
During his visit to Ireland, President Donald Trump addressed the possibility of Irish reunification, stating that he would welcome seeing the island become one nation.
Following a meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Trump expressed his belief that reunification is bound to happen eventually, while acknowledging that any decision would also require input from the United Kingdom.
“I’d love to see it unified,” Trump said, adding that he has friends on both sides of the issue and views them all as “great people”.
(The video below shows Trump sharing his perspective on Irish reunification.)
Trump Argues Against Delaying Inevitable Unity
Trump suggested there was little point in delaying a development he believed was bound to occur.
“I think it would be a great feather in everybody’s cap if that happened,” he said, arguing that “it’s going to happen eventually” and adding, “it may as well happen now.”
Trump Emphasizes Positive View on Reunification
He also joked about the Irish people on both sides of the divide, saying, “They’re Irish people. How can they be bad, right?”
Trump ultimately maintained that reunification would be “a fantastic thing” and repeatedly questioned why it would ever be viewed negatively.