With war continuing to rage in Iran, president Trump threatening to take over Cuba, and his ongoing dissatisfaction with European leaders, the Oval Office meeting was dominated by international affairs. When this was put to Mr Trump, he did not appear to know who the Irish President was. Mr Martin did not interject to correct Mr Trump on President Connolly’s gender, something later criticised by Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Once again, Mr Trump said Mr Starmer was “no Winston Churchill”. “Keir Starmer has done a lot to reset the Irish-British relationship,” Mr Martin told Mr Trump.

Source: Irish Examiner March 17, 2026 18:59 UTC