Ireland’s Martin defends Starmer as Trump derides Iran and NATO in White House, diplomacy prevails

During a White House visit for St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheál Martin politely interrupted Donald Trump’s insults toward Labour leader Keir Starmer, praising Starmer for repairing Irish-British ties post-Brexit while Trump ramped up talk about Iran and NATO. Martin argued Europe’s migration framework is positive and highlighted Ireland’s openness to newcomers, steering the conversation away from Trump’s attacks. He also managed a light moment regarding Ireland’s president Catherine Connolly, after Trump admitted he didn’t know who she was, as the piece notes Martin’s aim to avoid the missteps seen with Germany’s Merz in a prior White House visit.