Trump visit is on par heading down the final fairway

A day of Dublin diplomacy for US President Donald Trump passed largely without drama.

However, there were, of course, a few unexpected turns along the way.

One of the moments being watched most closely was his meeting with President Catherine Connolly, and whether she would get under his skin by raising issues, including war and genocide, as well as her previous highly critical comments about his conduct in office.

That moment never came.

Saturday had started with what appeared to be a mostly pleasant courtesy call to President Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin, with President Trump describing her as "terrific" during a speech later at the US Ambassador's residence.

An Oval Office-style Q&A with the media took place not in Washington but at Farmleigh House, where the Taoiseach and President Trump held bilateral talks.

Questions took on the big headline stories that have dominated Mr Trump’s second term, including Iran and Gaza, along with his highly anticipated meeting with President Connolly.

Made for America

Although it looked and felt like a White House press scrum, the Taoiseach appeared in control of the meeting, and at his signal the media circus wrapped up as Donald Trump prepared to head to the US Ambassador’s residence close by, where hundreds of guests from the political and business worlds were waiting to hear him speak.

Here, attendees laughed at President Trump’s numerous jokes and unscripted comments under a red, white and blue marquee, as the YMCA and Lee Greenwood’s 'God Bless the USA’ rang out over the speakers in classic Donald Trump style.

The lengthy speech, coming in at a healthy 40 minutes, may have been made in Ireland and in front of Irish people, but its main message was for Americans across the Atlantic.

Midterms calling

US media had asked why President Trump was travelling to Ireland less than two months before crucial midterm elections that could impact presidential power come 2027, if Democrats gain ground in Congress.

The midterms were clearly on his mind.

He made a concerted effort to put American issues front and centre of his speech, spending most of his time talking about what he believes is the strength of the American economy, due to his new trade policies, tax cuts, a strong stock market and record employment.

Any Democrats in the room also got an earful about the abilities of former President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, and what Mr Trump described as a rise in "communism" within the party.

The American networks were there to broadcast it all, after all.

The Irish Government will no doubt be relieved that his focus appeared to be elsewhere, especially on American votes back home and a desire to go to Doonbeg for the golf.

Ever since Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky got a public dressing down from the Trump administration, there has been a fear of the unpredictability of the President, and nobody wants to be next.

That being said, Ireland did not get off scot-free, with President Trump teasing during his speech that Ireland had "fleeced" the US with the numerous pharmaceutical companies here - a regular jab from the President as he aims to "bring back home" large US multinationals from abroad.

Even though this is a private visit, rather than a state visit, Donald Trump covered so many issues in just a few hours of political business in Dublin.

UI curveball

But the biggest curveball of the day came with his comments on a United Ireland.

He had spoken about it before - on St Patrick’s Day this year, when talking about the island of Ireland and his love of mergers.

However, this time he went much further, saying he would "love" to see it unified.

Mr Trump said being asked about reunification is "one of those questions where no matter what you say, no matter how well you say it, there is no good answer".

It was a comment that soon drew backlash from political leaders in the UK, where his relationship remains testy over migration and a lack of support for the Iran war (something he also highlighted in his speech).

Donald Trump knows how to make a headline.

But nobody expected that his "love" of a united Ireland would be the headline of the day in Ireland and around the world.

Focus on the 18th

Mr Trump will spend today at the golf resort in Doonbeg for the rest of the Irish Open, where it is expected he will present the trophy to the winner.

A sigh of relief, perhaps, from political circles that everything appears to have mostly gone smoothly.

But President Trump has the world at his fingertips with Truth Social and has the media at his beck and call.

Just look at his appearance at the members’ bar at the Doonbeg hotel last night.

His is an unusual and unpredictable Presidency of the United States.

Even when the day appears to be going to plan, nobody can be quite sure what comes next.