Trump says a united Ireland would be ‘fantastic’

President Donald Trump said Saturday that he would “love” to see the United Kingdom’s Northern Ireland reunify with the Republic of Ireland, arguing that such a move would be “a fantastic thing” and would eventually happen.

Trump made the comments during a meeting with Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin in Dublin, where the president was visiting ahead of the Irish Open at his golf resort.

“I don’t want to cause any problems, but I will tell you, I’d love to see it unified,” Trump said. “It’s going to happen eventually.”

Trump acknowledged that the U.K. would have a say in the matter but said he believed Irish reunification “would be a great thing.”

“Now the U.K. would have something to say about it, obviously, but I think it would be a great thing,” Trump said. “I mean, how can it be bad?”

Trump was asked about the issue again later and reiterated his support, describing reunification as “a very cool thing.”

Trump also suggested that Martin was the “right man” to help advance the cause of Irish reunification.

U.S. President Donald Trump and son Eric Trump watch the Irish Open at the Trump International Golf Links course in Doonbeg, Ireland, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.(AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

The remarks drew a quick pushback from British and Northern Irish unionists.

Kemi Badenoch, leader of Britain’s opposition Conservative Party, accused Trump of “shooting from the hip as usual,” adding that his comments about the future of democratic countries were “deeply unhelpful” and created “unnecessary tension.”

Democratic Unionist Party leader Gavin Robinson rejected Trump’s comments, saying Northern Ireland’s constitutional future would be decided by its people.

“Northern Ireland’s constitutional future will be decided by the people of Northern Ireland, not by commentary in London, Dublin or Washington,” Robinson said. He added that Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom because of the “settled democratic will of its people.”

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, meanwhile, welcomed Trump’s remarks and said the Irish government should begin preparing for reunification.

“Our national journey is now reunification, which is organised, planned and a peaceful transition,” McDonald said.

Trump’s comments come as the British government has recently faced questions over its position on a referendum on Irish reunification.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said in August that a referendum on a united Ireland was “off the table” during his first official visit to Northern Ireland. He later clarified his position in Parliament, saying he would “stick to the Good Friday Agreement 100%.” 

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The 1998 Good Friday Agreement ended decades of violence known as the Troubles and established a legal framework for determining Northern Ireland’s future. Under the agreement, the British government is required to hold a referendum on Irish reunification if the Northern Ireland secretary determines that a majority of voters would likely support it. 

Trump also praised the U.S.-Ireland relationship during his meeting with Martin, saying the two countries have “a big relationship” and that the relationship “has never been as good as it is right now.” 

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