Trump pokes the U.K., and Ireland’s unity debate catches fire

Democracy Dies in DarknessThe comment follows decades of White House neutrality and leaves both sides of the dispute wondering if he was backing Ireland, trolling Britain or talking off the cuff.September 13, 2026 at 2:25 p.m. EDTYesterday at 2:25 p.m. EDTPresident Donald Trump arrives Saturday at the U.S. Embassy in Dublin to deliver remarks. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)LONDON — The explosive debate over whether British-led Northern Ireland should reunify with the independent Ireland to the south has usually been treated with kid gloves by American presidents. But President Donald Trump seems to prefer boxing gloves.