Ireland’s opposition is gearing up for a political showdown over Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Dublin, with Labour figures and other opposition politicians declaring that the US president should not receive the traditional red-carpet welcome.
MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has been among the most vocal critics, declaring that “Dublin does not welcome Donald Trump” as opposition groups prepare to mobilize against the visit to Dublin and Clare. Ministers will be expected to extend the normal diplomatic courtesies to a visiting US president, despite Ireland's incoming Prime Minister Simon Harris backing Kamala Harris online in 2024 following a live radio attack on President Trump, who he called 'awful'.
The Irish Labour Party has formally criticised the prospect of welcoming Trump, while politicians on the left have signalled their intention to protest his arrival. The campaign comes as preparations for the visit have reportedly been underway for months. Air Force One is expected to land in Dublin on September 12, with Trump due to meet Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Farmleigh House before travelling to Ballsbridge for the turning of the sod at the new US embassy.
Opposition politicians in Ireland cannot themselves cancel or legally prevent a presidential diplomatic visit, but their increasingly hostile campaign threatens to turn Trump’s arrival into a major political confrontation. Independent Ireland councillor Shane P. O’Reilly told Gript that politicians planning to boycott or protest the visit as being “serial objectors” who will “never be in government.” .President Catherine Connolly has said she would meet Trump if given the opportunity, although she too has been sharply critical of his administration.
TD Mattie McGrath said Trump should be given “full State honors” and allowed to address the Dáil, arguing that Ireland should recognize Trump's enormous economic impact on the coastal town of Doonbeg through his hospitality business and golf course. The government rejected the option, despite giving the privilege to Joe Biden, who addressed both Houses during his visit to Ireland in April 2023.
“The Dáil is back sitting later that week so why not open it up on the Monday and give President Trump the welcome he deserves,” McGrath said.
