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Donald Trump backed the unification of Ireland during his visit to Dublin, a move that would break up the United Kingdom.
Sitting beside Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin, the US leader predicted that the UK “might have something to say about that” but added that “It's going to happen eventually”.
“I don't want to cause any problems, but I will tell you, I'd love to see it unified,” Mr Trump began, adding, “I have friends on both sides. Great people.
“They're Irish people. How can they be bad? Right. I'd love to see it the other way. I think it would be great.
The US leader said that unification would be “a great feather in everybody's cap” and that “it's going to happen eventually.
Turning to the Taoiseach, Mr Trump said: “We're talking about it. And you got the right man over here to get it moving.
“But, uh, yeah, I'd like it. 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?”
Donald Trump backed the unification of Ireland during his visit to Dublin
|GB NEWS
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DUP MP Gavin Robinson hit back at Mr Trump’s remarks, writing on X: “As unionists, we are not interested in the destruction of our country by joining with the Irish Republic.”
Mr Trump’s comments come as Prime Minister Andy Burnham declared a referendum on a united Ireland was “off the table” during a trip to Northern Ireland.
Responding, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said that a British leader “simply does not have the right to dismiss or disregard” the Good Friday Agreement’s commitment to a referendum.
However, DUP leader Gavin Robinson welcomed the comments, stating the Prime Minister had “put to bed the nonsense” speculation over a unity poll.
'They're Irish people. How can they be bad? Right. I'd love to see it the other way. I think it would be great,' the US leader said
|GETTY
In the Republic, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has also said Irish unity “would be the best outcome”, although he has refused to put a date on a vote.
Meanwhile, Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee said: “In the future we will have a border poll”.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan also said the next Irish Government “must prepare for Irish unity”.
The issue dates back to the partition of Ireland in 1921, when six counties remained within the UK.
Andy Burnham has previously said that any Irish border poll was 'off the table'
| PADecades of conflict followed before the 1998 Good Friday Agreement established a democratic route to reunification, stating that a poll should be called if a majority appears likely to vote for unity.
In response to GB News, a spokesman for the Prime Minister declined to release a new statement.
He stressed that Mr Burnham remains committed to the Good Friday Agreement, pointing to comments made in the House of Commons earlier this week.
In response to a question from the Scottish National Party MP Chris Law during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Mr Burnham said he would stick to the conditions of the Good Friday Agreement “100 per cent”.