The vote was less a verdict on Irish unity than on who gets to pronounce on it. Yes won by more than two to one, but the chamber’s highest-respected arguments converged on consent: “it is up to the people and leaders of the countries to say so”, not Donald Trump.
The Yes case treated the intervention as reckless interference. Its most-respected voice said unification should be decided by “the people of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, not the Paedophile in charge of the USA”; another called it “none of his business”. The language was angry, but the underlying objection was constitutional and procedural.
No voters were hardly rallying to Trump’s wisdom. Their strongest argument was that “Trump was just stirring it up”, while another said he had “a right to an opinion” even if his view was no better informed than anything else he says. That is where the two sides talked past each other: Yes heard an improper intervention, No heard an entitled opinion that need not carry authority.
The debate sits inside the Good Friday Agreement’s consent principle and the older sensitivity around American involvement in Irish affairs. Several No voices accepted that unification may eventually come, with one saying it was “almost right”; their distinction was between a possible constitutional outcome and the president’s right to discuss it.
The room’s message was not simply that unity is wrong, but that Trump’s voice adds heat without adding legitimacy.
28 Opinions
In principle No. But it is for the people of Ireland Republic & Northern to decide what they want & nobody else. Trump was just stirring it up.
Donald Trump comments where unwarranted there is no united front in Ireland on this, it is merely a destabilising. If there ever comes a time that Ireland wishes to unite it is up to the people and leaders of the countries to say so.
Irish unification should be the decision of the people of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, not the Paedophile in charge of the USA.
US Presidents have a habit of talking nonsense. The Irish influence prior to Mid-terms is probably dynamic here. Not sure he understands North / South issues. Of course separatist parties jump on this with their rabid demands. The highly corrupt & astonishingly incompetent SNP; the vacuous inept & delusional Plaid & terrorist supporting Sein Fein as always trying to talk out of each side of their mouth. Apart from NI Each with Labour have trashed Wales & Scotland. Clowns
Irish people have the say. Not those who have left either. When do England get the vote ??
Trump expressed an opinion, obviously it will be down to the people to decide.
Having an American blowhard barge into Dublin and treat a fragile constitutional balance like a cheap soundbite for applause is staggeringly reckless. Trump doesn't know the history, and quite frankly doesn't understand the sectarian divide
It's none of his business. A united Ireland can only come from the mandate of the Irish people.
Donald Trump is allowed to make his preferences known, but that doesn't mean we should pay any attention to them.
Trump being himself like to throw more or less crazy idea in the air. As an misdirection, for laugh or as serious proposal. IMO it is for Irish people to decide, but I have to admit such solution would solve a lot of problems and possibly created a few new. Overall nothing wrong with it until we just having a discussion.