Trump Says a United Ireland Would Be 'Fantastic'

US President Donald Trump made his most explicit statement yet in favour of Irish unification, saying on Friday that a united Ireland would be 'fantastic'. The remarks, made during a press conference at the White House, sparked immediate reactions from British, Irish and Northern Irish political figures.

Trump's Comments

Asked about his views on the future of Northern Ireland, Trump said he had always felt that a unified Ireland made sense and that it would be 'fantastic for everybody'. He praised the Irish people as great friends of America and said historical divisions should be put aside.

Reactions

The British government expressed discomfort with the remarks, reiterating that Northern Ireland's constitutional status could only change with the consent of its people. The Irish government welcomed Trump's positive stance, while unionist leaders in Northern Ireland condemned what they called unhelpful interference in internal UK affairs.

Context

Trump has long-standing personal ties to Ireland through his mother's Scottish-Irish heritage, and he has visited the island several times. His remarks come amid ongoing debate about a possible future border poll on Irish unification.