US President Donald Trump raised the issue of a united Ireland unprompted during his meeting with President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin, asking her how "the merger" was going within minutes of their private talks beginning, senior Government sources have told the Mail.
The disclosure sheds fresh light on Trump's later remarks at a joint press conference with Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Farmleigh in Dublin's Phoenix Park, where he said he would "love" it if the North and the Republic were to reunite.
According to the sources, Connolly did not substantially engage in a discussion on reunification during the private meeting, focusing instead on the actions of the Israeli Defence Forces in the Gaza Strip. A source told the Mail on Sunday that Trump "personally, proactively and without prompt" from anyone in the room raised the matter of a united Ireland, which he later addressed at the press conference when asked directly for his views.
Irish Government and US administration sources said last night that they believed Trump's comments were aimed at causing "maximum damage" to Britain, which he has repeatedly criticised for failing to offer sufficient military or diplomatic support for his strikes on Iran.
"We could see up close that this was a well-planned diplomatic assault designed to cause maximum damage to the British government," a senior Irish Government source said. "He dropped an absolute bombshell and it was not done without forethought and discussion within his administration."
A US administration source confirmed the statements were preplanned. "He has made no secret of his disappointment - hurt really - at the UK's lukewarm support on Iran and on other foreign affairs matters," the source said, "and if this causes the UK difficulty, which the reaction shows it has, then maybe that's not unintentional."
Whistle-stop tour of Ireland
Trump's trip began at 8.23am when Air Force One touched down at Dublin Airport amid one of the largest security operations the country has mounted. He is in Ireland principally to attend the Irish Open, hosted at his golf resort in Doonbeg, County Clare.
He first met Connolly and Martin for a round of quick-fire diplomatic engagements, then gave a speech to lawmakers and business leaders at the US ambassador's residence in Phoenix Park before flying to Doonbeg.
'I'd love to see it unified'
It was his comments on a united Ireland that made global headlines. Responding to a press question at Farmleigh about his personal views on Irish unity, Trump said he did not "want to cause any problems" but he would "love to see it unified."
"I have friends on both sides, great people. They're Irish people. How can they be bad, right?" he said. "I'd love to see it unified. I think it would be a great feather in everybody's cap if that happened. It's going to happen eventually. You know what? The way I look at it, it's going to happen eventually. It may as well happen now."
Turning to Martin beside him, Trump added: "We're talking about it and you got the right man over here to get it moving. But, yeah, I think it would be a fantastic thing. Now the UK will have something to say about it, obviously. But I think it would be a great thing. I mean, how can it be bad?"
Earlier, Trump had brought up a united Ireland unprompted when asked how his meeting with the Irish president had gone. "We did discuss Northern Ireland. I always find it to be a very interesting discussion. People of Northern Ireland and people of Ireland. They sometimes say 'hey, when are you guys getting together?' I do ask that question every time," he said. Martin replied: "You do, you're consistent on that." Trump added: "I'm sure it's complicated. But life is complicated."
The remarks drew a swift response from all sides in Northern Ireland, including the hardline unionist DUP, and from a Downing Street spokesman.
'They're going for the kill'
Trump later discussed his comments at length at the start of a speech at Deerfield, the US ambassador's residence, before a room that included Martin, his wife Mary, Irish Ambassador to the US Geraldine Nason-Byrne, and businessmen Dermot Desmond and Denis O'Brien.
"They're going for the kill at all times, and they ask me a question: 'What do you think about unification of Northern Ireland and Ireland?'" Trump said. "I said: 'Oh, that's a nice question.' I gave a nice answer, I think. We'll read about it tomorrow. That's one of those questions where, no matter what you say, no matter how well you say it, there's no good answer, right? But I actually said it would be, I think, a very cool thing. To be honest with you, I think it would be cool. As half the room clears out, they say: 'Let's get the hell out of here. I don't like this guy. I liked him a lot 10 minutes ago. I don't like him.'"
The Government did not interpret these later remarks as an attempt to row back. Those closest to the stage felt Trump was "gleefully" revelling in having thrown a "hand grenade" into Irish public affairs, and appeared to enjoy his unrivalled ability to grab headlines.
Political reaction
A united Ireland has moved up the political agenda this year, with Fine Gael planning to publish a green paper on Irish unity later this year, while new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham sparked a row last month when he said a unity referendum was "off the table."
Martin has edged closer to calling for a border poll, telling reporters at his party's think-in this week that it was "not satisfactory" that calling a referendum was left as a "judgement call" for the Northern Ireland secretary, and that there "needs to be a discussion" about how one would be triggered. He dodged reporters' questions on Trump's remarks as he left Farmleigh.
A spokesman for the Taoiseach later said Trump's comments "should come as a surprise to no one," noting the president had consistently viewed unity in Ireland as the optimal outcome over two years in the White House and on Capitol Hill. Martin had told Trump his party supports Irish unity and outlined the Shared Island initiative, the spokesman said, while highlighting Ireland's experience in conflict resolution and paying tribute to successive US governments for their role in the peace process and the Good Friday Agreement.
Tánaiste Simon Harris said the comments showed "how much the conversation about a unified island is advancing at home and abroad," adding that Fine Gael's blueprint for a unified island was "progressing well" and would be unveiled at its Ard Fheis.
A No. 10 spokesman referred to Burnham's Commons remarks last week that he would "stick to it 100 per cent," referring to the Good Friday Agreement, and that a border poll was a matter for the Northern Ireland secretary "when there is a clear consensus in the country."
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said she would only "acknowledge" Trump's comments. "The conversation on Irish unity has shifted, and the onus is on the Taoiseach to begin planning," she said. "We have secured peace, and as we approach the thirtieth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, our national journey is now reunification, which is organised, planned and a peaceful transition." Her party was involved in protests against Trump's visit over the weekend.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson said on social media: "President Trump knows better than most that elections matter. Northern Ireland's constitutional future will be decided by the people of Northern Ireland, not by commentary in London, Dublin or Washington. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom because that is the settled democratic will of its people."
DUP MP Gregory Campbell said he did not know what was behind Trump's comments, speculating they may have related to Connolly, a strong critic of the president's foreign policy. "If this wasn't for real, this would make a Father Ted episode," he said. Former SDLP leader Colum Eastwood, now an MP for the party, wrote on social media: "Always liked him."
