President Donald Trump has done and said quite a few things on his trip to London this week, and one thing he said in particular…
President Donald Trump has done and said quite a few things on his trip to London this week, and one thing he said in particular has drawn the ire of the Irish in particular. Trump seems to believe that Ireland is part of the U. K. Almost immediately the statement drew harsh criticisms not only from the Irish, but from Americans as well, including sitting politicians. His statement was characterized as “embarrassing” for not knowing something that is considered to be basic knowledge for a world leader.
“I believe that the people in the UK — Scotland, Ireland, as you know I have property in Ireland, I have property all over — I think that those people they like me a lot and they agree with me on immigration.”
https://twitter.com/LBLynch/status/1017359956348166144
David Davis, the former U. K. Brexit Minister, made a similar mistake in 2016, and while he was roasted for it, it didn’t draw as much attention as Trump’s gaffe. Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston stated to the Irish Times that Trump seemed determined to insult Teresa May. Others chimed in that he seemed to be trying to insult everyone, pointing to the previous statement as just one example of it. Even U. S. Rep. Brendan Boyle chimed in.
Dear @realDonaldTrump – Ireland is not part of the U. K. It’s been an independent country for about 100 years. It was kind of a big deal. Please stop embarrassing us on the international stage. Thanks. https://t.co/ds5d8hH1NX
— US Rep Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) July 13,2018
Last year, the House of Commons tried to preemptively block Trump from being allowed to speak in parliament’s chamber over allegations of racism and sexism. Despite majority support for the initiative, John Bercoq, the Speaker of the House of Commons, vetoed the measure. Trump met today with May, and also separately with the queen at Windsor Castle.
Labour MP Anna Turley questioned whether Trump should be allowed to meet the queen on this visit given his behavior. Others questioned his lack of preparation for the visit, again, pointing back, in part, to the Ireland comment. All told, the trip has not gone well in the eyes of America’s cousins across the pond.
. @realDonaldTrump just included Ireland in the UK. So like David Davis he has no idea that the Republic of Ireland is an independent country. All these small EU countries: how can a Big Picture guy like Trump keep up?
— Gerry Hassan (@GerryHassan) July 12,2018
