US President Donald Trump embarrassed himself at the G7 summit in France after claiming that the Republic of Ireland was part of the United Kingdom.
The blunder occurred during a press conference held at the end of the summit to discuss a potential free trade agreement with the UK. Trump wanted to show his support for the United Kingdom and Boris Johnson… even if it meant getting a bit mixed up.
“I love the United Kingdom,” he told the press.
He then listed all of his properties there, also mentioning his golf and hotel complex in Doonbeg, County Clare in the Republic of Ireland:
“No no no. I love the United Kingdom. I own properties in the United Kingdom. I love the United Kingdom,” he added. “[…] I own a property in Turnberry [in Scotland] as well as a golf complex in Doonbeg.”
A major mistake, quickly pointed out on social media: Doonbeg is part of the Republic of Ireland, not the United Kingdom!
On Twitter, many Irish users invited the American president to take some geopolitics lessons and to learn about Ireland’s history. Some reminded that the Republic of Ireland became independent and thus has no ties with the United Kingdom… meaning only Northern Ireland remains a British province, which explains its current complicated situation due to Brexit.
A mistake that upset some… and amused others…
