Travel Report 9- Taoiseach meeting and Qs on Iran, Gaza, Trade, more

Pool was ushered into a small, beautiful wood paneled room at Farmleigh with large tapestries on the wall. President Trump and the Taoiseach sat next to a large white bouquet in front of a fireplace.

The Taoiseach started by welcoming President Trump to Farmleigh House and acknowledging the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the connections between the US and Ireland.

He went on to talk about inviting President Trump to the Irish Open and the “sporting connection” between the two countries.

President Trump said they have had a “great relationship from the beginning.”

Trump talked about the Irish Open and Irish golfer Shane Lowry’s lead. “It’s been a tremendous success and it’s one of the greatest courses in the world…I built it.”

Trump said they have had some discussions on trade and the Taoiseach will join him tomorrow at the Irish Open.

Please check quotes to tape:

Asked by a reporter when the Iran war will end, Trump said “very soon after the midterms” and said “iran can’t have a nuclear weapon.” He added energy prices will “come tumbling down.”

Trump said he has had a call with MBS and things will work out “fine and dandy.”

He then talked about the convention in Dallas and said “we had a great convention” and “republicans had a good time.”

When asked to respond to Irish critics that he’s facilitating genocide in Gaza, Trump said he “put out a fire.”

“When you say Gaza, we put out the fire , we got all the hostages back,” Trump said. “We got involved and we facilitated a peace of a kind and got all the hostages back…If you look at Gaza there are a lot of good relationships taking place.”

Taoiseach said they have talked about aid to Gaza and the president is trying to facilitate that and Trump said “we are trying to get it done.”

On protests: “I didn’t know there was a protest and we’ve been all over Ireland and I haven’t seen any protest.”

President Trump asked about whether he thinks Iran is responsible for the attack on the East-West Pipeline and when it could come back online: “I think they are, probably they are. They are on the balls of their feet right now.”

“We have had discussions, the Houthis called us and they don’t want to fight with us….they don’t want us to go after them and would much prefer not having us involved and they’re letting most ships go through, it’s just one country they’re not too happy with. And we’ll get that straightened out.”

Trump said the “naval blockade has been so incredible…we take on average about 25 boats a today.”

On Trump’s meeting with President Connolly, Monica Crowley responded by saying it was “constructive” and involved energy, and they had their conversation “very specifically.”

Trump, asked if the middle east conflicts were brought up, said it was an interesting discussion and said he’s interested in northern ireland and he asks that question every time.

On if the Faulklands came up in call with UK PM Andy Burnham: “They have a little problem with immigration, a little problem with energy, so I don’t know if they’re going to be willing to travel that far. You’re talking about weeks by boat. I don’t know. I’m sure I’ll be called into that potential disaster, if they do I’ll probably be able to settle it out, but right now you have two countries that are not happy.”

Trump said he will return for the Ryder Cup next year.

Asked about unifying Ireland:

“I’d love to see it unified, I have friends on both sides. They’re Irish people how can they be bad?”

Asked if he will leave the USMCA, Trump said Canada wants to make a deal and will probably see a deal “soon”: “Canada wants to make a deal and Iran wants to make a deal.”

Heading to Deerfield Residence now.

Meridith McGraw

White House Reporter