President Donald Trump addressed around 200 Irish business leaders and politicians at a private reception at Deerfield, the US Ambassador's residence in Dublin's Phoenix Park, on Saturday, joking that Irish people were "vicious b*****ds" before, according to a senior Irish Government source, using a separate meeting with Irish President Catherine Connolly to raise the prospect of a "merger" between Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Guests invited by US Ambassador Ed Walsh were bused to the residence from the Garda Boat Club in Islandbridge from around 6am, arriving at Deerfield in darkness and driving rain shortly after 6am, according to Irish Mail on Sunday journalist John Lee, who attended the event. Trump did not appear until 11.50am.
Guests Wait Hours in the Rain
Lee said the roughly 200-strong crowd, largely business attire though some women wore near-ballroom dress, waited for around five hours in a marquee next to a catering tent where American-style coffee and pastries were served. Guests on the bus included Senator Gerard Craughwell and former TD Cathal Berry.
A guitar-and-banjo duo played Irish standards and comedian Alan Shortt served as master of ceremonies. A soprano sang the Star-Spangled Banner, and Shortt interviewed dancer Michael Flatley, who then played the flute for the crowd.
Attendees included executives from Microsoft, Amazon, CRH and Saville, along with former Fine Gael ministers Lucinda Creighton, Simon Coveney, Brian Hayes and former TD John Deasy, former Labour senator Lorraine Higgins, and businessmen Ian Hyland and Declan Ganley.
Taoiseach and Billionaires Take Their Seats
Taoiseach Micheal Martin and his wife Mary sat in box seats near the stage. To Martin's left sat Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, and beside her were billionaires Dermot Desmond and Denis O'Brien. Lee reported that Martin spent time in animated conversation with Desmond while the crowd waited for Trump.
Cabinet members sat nearby, alongside Donald Trump Jr and his wife Bettina, with Trump aide Natalie Harp seated behind them. Ambassador Walsh, described by Lee as a close friend and golf partner of the president, was the final speaker before Trump took the stage.
Trump's Speech and the 'Vicious Bastards' Remark
Trump, wearing a two-tone, red-striped tie, walked out to the song God Bless the USA and stood silently for several minutes before speaking. Lee, who has covered Trump for years, said the president was effusive in his praise of Ireland and the Irish people. During the address, Trump referred to Irish people as "vicious b*****ds," a line the crowd took in a jocular spirit, according to Lee.
A business acquaintance of Trump's told Lee the remark referred to the mafia-dominated New York real estate sector of the 1970s and 1980s. "That time toughened him up and he did business with the Irish. He admires them," the acquaintance said.
Lee reported that when Trump turned to criticising former President Joe Biden, the room fell silent, and Trump quickly pivoted to attacking his "Communist" opponents in the Democratic Party instead.
A Personal Irish Connection
Tipperary Fine Gael TD Michael Murphy, a cousin of the late tenor Frank Patterson, told Lee that Trump's mother had loved Patterson's singing, and that Trump had contacted the tenor to ask him to sing to her in hospital during her final days.
Earlier at Dublin Airport, Trump asked Tanaiste Simon Harris what he thought of "my new plane" as he descended the aircraft steps. Harris replied that it was "certainly a very big one."
Bilateral Meeting Moved to Deerfield
Irish Government sources described as "strenuous" overnight efforts by the US Administration to shift Martin's bilateral meeting with Trump from the Farmleigh official residence to Deerfield. Those efforts were resisted, and the US side had to settle for the president delivering only a speech at the residence.
Trump Raises Irish 'Merger' With President Connolly
A senior Government source told Lee that Trump had planned in advance, rather than raised spontaneously, a discussion of what he called a "merger" concerning a united Ireland during his meeting that day with President Catherine Connolly, the first substantial engagement of Trump's visit. US and Irish officials reportedly viewed the move as a deliberate signal to the UK government.
Only Fianna Fail's Darragh O'Brien and James Lawless were seen among Fianna Fail figures at Deerfield, while all Fine Gael Cabinet members attended. Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly was also present.
Trump's Departure
After the speech, Martin and his wife positioned themselves at the exit, shaking hands with departing guests in a queue that stretched across the marquee. Trump left by limousine, known as The Beast, rather than by helicopter as briefed, heading to Dublin Airport and on to Doonbeg.
Lee described the visit as unofficial but potentially among the most consequential of any US presidential trip to Ireland, given the political reaction to Trump's comments on Irish unity.
