Donald Trump to meet with President Connolly at the Áras – despite her past comments

The meeting has been described as a “courtesy visit” will take place at Áras an Uachtaráin on the morning of Saturday 12th September, sources have confirmed to JOE. 

During a campaign debate during the election, Connolly gave a measured response to the prospect of a meeting with Trump, replying, “if it’s just a meet and greet, then I will meet and greet.”

She was also asked during a TV debate how she would treat a visit by the U.S. president and whether she would challenge his backing of Israel in its war in Gaza.

Connolly replied that “genocide was enabled and resourced by American money,” but regarding a Trump visit, she would “meet and greet.” However, if the discussion is genocide, “then that’s a completely different thing.”

Connolly has publicly described Trump as “volatile, unpredictable, acting like a bully, bringing in tariffs when it suits him.”

She has described the United States as an “imperial power” and claims it is part of global instability.

She has argued that Ireland cannot fully trust the U.S., the U.K. or France because, in her view, they are “deeply entrenched in an arms industry which causes bloodshed across the world.

In August she said, to the Limerick Leader: “Have I a trust problem with America? I think every person in the country has a trust problem with America.”

President Trump mistakenly called Connolly "he" in previous comments, assuming the president was a man.

Trump will spend just under two days in Ireland, he’ll also meet with Taoiseach Micheál Martin as well as turning the sod at the planned new US embassy building at the site of the old Jury’s hotel in Ballsbridge. 

The Irish Open is taking place at Trump’s golf course and resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare from the 10th to 13th September, and he’s expected to travel there on Saturday afternoon before leaving early on the Monday.