Evening Standard
· collected 2026-09-13 · by Press Association Reporters
During his two-day visit to Ireland, President Trump attended the Amgen Irish Open golf tournament at his resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare. He met with Irish officials including Deputy Premier Simon Harris and President Catherine Connolly, but notably caused controversy by stating that Irish unity is inevitable. This comment has sparked reactions from UK Conservatives, Northern Irish political parties, and Sinn Féin, potentially straining relations between the US, UK, and Ireland.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-13,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
During a visit to Dublin on September 12th, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed support for a unified Ireland, stating that he would "love" to see the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland united. This comes during his weekend trip primarily focused on attending the Irish Open golf tournament at one of his courses in Doonbeg. At a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, Trump commented, "Well, I don't want to cause any problems, but I will tell you, I'd love to see it unified." He also noted that such unification would be inevitable and described it as a “fantastic thing,” although he acknowledged the UK's role in any such decision.
The remarks have sparked reactions from political leaders in Northern Ireland. For instance, Gavin Robinson, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), stated on X that unionists are not interested in the destruction of their country by joining with the Irish Republic. The British government has also responded swiftly, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak insisting that a unity referendum remains "off the table." Trump's comments touch upon long-standing and sensitive issues related to Northern Ireland’s political status and historical conflicts, including the Troubles. Despite these concerns, President Trump is expected to conclude his visit by handing over the winner’s trophy at his golf resort before flying back to the U.S. on Sunday evening. The trip has involved significant security measures due to protests against Trump's presence in both Dublin and Doonbeg.
Written for “Trump Visits Ireland Unity Remarks” on 2026-09-14,
grounded in this article and the 9 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The model judged this article politically coded and scored it -0.35, but 1 quote(s) could not be found in the article and the other 2 are attributed speech rather than the article's own narration, so the score is not published.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score withheld for article 8550: no verified evidence · logged 2026-09-13
Mr Trump started Sunday at his golf resort in the south-west of the country as it hosts players including Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry for the Amgen Irish Open.
asserted
it → start → Open
It is anticipated Mr Trump will hand over the winner’s trophy at the Trump International golf resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare, before flying back to the US at the end of a two-day itinerary.
asserted
Trump → anticipate → itinerary
While the president restricted himself to watching the golf from a balcony over the 18th green on Saturday evening, it is anticipated he could traverse the course on Sunday.
uncertain
he → restrict → Sunday
A major security operation is continuing for the visit, with Ireland’s police service An Garda Síochána liaising with the Defence Forces and US Secret Service in the area around the resort.
asserted
service → continue → resort
Mr Trump’s presence sparked protests in Dublin and Clare – but Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said there would be “no tolerance” for public disorder or attempts to impact “critical movements” of the US president.
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Kelly → spark → president
A small number of protestors gathered at Shannon Airport on Sunday.
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number → gather → Sunday
He arrived into Ireland on his new Qatar gift Air Force One on Saturday morning, where he met the country’s deputy premier Simon Harris at Dublin Airport.
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he → arrive → Airport
The US commander-in-chief then met Irish President Catherine Connolly, one of his long-standing critics, at her official residence Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin’s Phoenix Park.
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commander → meet → Park
However, it was his next meeting with Irish premier Micheál Martin that caused the biggest stir – as Mr Trump weighed in on the constitutional question by claiming Irish unification was inevitable.
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unification → cause → question
Answering a question from the Press Association, the 47th president said he “would love to see” Ireland unified, adding: “It’s going to happen eventually.”
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It → answer → Association
This prompted a stern rebuke from the Conservatives in the UK, while Downing Street pointed to Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s rejection of an immediate border poll earlier in the week.
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Street → prompt → week
Mr Trump’s comments could further strain relations between the US and the UK, with the president also casting doubt on Britain’s ability to defend the Falkland Islands during the visit.
uncertain
president → strain → visit
On Wednesday, Mr Burnham told MPs a border poll would be considered only when there was “a clear consensus in the country”.
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poll → tell → country
The row may also complicate Washington’s relations with Northern Irish parties.
uncertain
row → complicate → parties
While Sinn Féin has boycotted the annual St Patrick’s Day visit to Washington over Mr Trump’s Middle East policy, leading unionist parties the DUP and UUP have continued to engage with the president.
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parties → boycott → president
In response to his comments, DUP leader Gavin Robinson said Northern Ireland’s future would be decided by its people, not “commentary in London, Dublin or Washington”.
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future → say → London
He added: “As unionists, we are not interested in the destruction of our country by joining with the Irish Republic.”
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we → add → Republic
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the president’s comments were “timely” and Mr Martin “must now begin planning for a united Ireland”.
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Martin → say → Ireland
The UK-Ireland border remains a sensitive issue, with Mr Burnham triggering a political row earlier in the year after saying a referendum on reunification was “off the table”.
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referendum → remain → table
Under the terms of the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, the UK’s Northern Ireland Secretary can decide to hold a border poll, and has a duty to call one if it appears likely a majority would vote for Irish unification.
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majority → decide → unification
The people of the Republic of Ireland must also vote in favour to effect constitutional change.
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people → vote → change
Mr Trump said America’s relationship with Ireland had “never been as good as it is right now” while Mr Martin praised the “sporting relationship” between the two countries.
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Martin → say → countries
