Travel Report 18 - Trump arrives at 1st tee box then gaggles on Iran, AI, Ukraine, and Fed

President Trump arrived at the first tee box of Doonbeg at 1:59p and was greeted by applause from the gallery. He walked over from the hotel, flanked by secret service.

But those cheers were dwarfed by the raucous applause that came when Shane Lowry, currently in the lead, walked up to the tee.

Trump, wearing a navy suit and white USA hat, shook Lowry’s hand and stood off to the side with his son, Eric Trump. The first tee sits near the main Doonbeg hotel building and the first hole is par 5 that hugs the sand dunes and Atlantic coastline. You can hear the ocean waves, and there is a slight breeze.

Before Trump arrived, Eric Trump greeted Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin and his wife and gestured toward the shoreline saying, “it doesn’t get much better than that.”

Oleesen teed off first, followed by Lowry. The pro golfers walked off to start their round and the president walked off to do an impromptu press conference next to the tee box, while a throng of golf spectators, press, and security guards looked on.

GAGGLE NOTES:

Asked about whether he expects potential interest rate hikes next week, Trump said "I don't know" and added the economy is “so strong we should be paying the lowest interest rates.”

Asked if he thinks Congress should approve the $5,000 checks he said “I don’t know but it should be easy enough if Republicans win.”

Trump said the Iran war will end "after the midterm" and said "Iran wants to make a deal so badly, and is calling constantly."

On Gulf nations meeting with Iran, "That's up to them. They need to be happy."

He continued on Iran: "We'll ultimately get out unless we decide to stay and keep the oil, like Venezuela."

On Zelensky: "Mr. Zelensky has to do one thing. He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel, let them go after targets but not diesel fuel, because he's causing a shortage of diesel. This isn't done by the Middle East, this is done by what's happening in Russia and Ukraine. We spoke to Mr. Zelensky about it. There are plenty other targets. Don't hit diesel."

Trump repeated his comments about Ireland reunification. "I've always loved the people of Ireland and it just seems to me that you have Northern Ireland and you have Ireland and it would seem to me that one of the naurals all time is put them together...many people agree."

Trump said he's not concerned Chinese President Xi will cancel his visit this month. "No we have a great relationship, we're going to get a long."

He was asked who he'd like to golf with if he had the chance and responded Lowry.

Asked when he thinks democratic elections will happen in Venezuela: "When they're ready."

Asked about concerning reports about AI, and whether or not the AI industry should be slowed down or regulated: "Well I say this, we're leading China on AI. We're the most sophisticated country in the world and frankly I want to keep it that way, because whoever wins AI wins. And we can put guardrails, and we can do this and that, but I think you have a lot of negative forces that are bringing it up and they're bringing up things that won't happen.But whoever wins with AI wins, you know it's an expression that I came up with and it's true."

Trump wrapped up the short press conference and walked back over to the course's locker room.

Meridith McGraw

White House Reporter