Taoiseach received positive messages on Trump meeting: 'You played a blinder with that nut'
James Cox
The majority of messages Taoiseach Micheál Martin received received from the public about his White House meeting with US president Donald Trump were positive.
People were generally positive about Mr Martin's Oval Office meeting with Mr Trump in messages, seen by BreakingNews.ie following a Freedom of Information request.
The annual St Patrick's Day meeting took place on Wednesday, March 12th.
The Taoiseach's Office received many messages on the meeting on the day and the following week.
One message, sent hours after the meeting, read: "Just a very quick message to say congratulations on a very impressive performance in the Oval Office today. It can't have been an easy experience and I offer you my thanks on a job well done. No doubt there will be the usual criticisms in the Dáil and media but I for one send on my congratulations and thanks."
Another message told Mr Martin that he "played a blinder with that nut in the Oval Office".
"Dear Taoiseach I for one think you played a blinder with that nut in the Oval Office. You didn't let the schmuck get away with too much. A firm handshake. Well done."
While the majority of the messages were positive, a number of them were also criticial of the Fianna Fáil leader.
A moment where an uncomfortable Mr Martin appeared to chuckle when the US president referenced Ireland's housing crisis was the subject of one email.
The author wrote: "No doubt you receive countless emails and even more physical post. No doubt it is filtered through a myriad of staff and I recögnise that I am one of many who will you in the wake of your St Patrick's Day visit. It's important to recognise that I don't judge the actions of visiting the US. I understand why it has to be done, despite what you personally and professionally may think of President Trump.
"What I think is important to recognise Taoíseach, is that the foreign leader joked about our housing crisis. And you laughed. I'm sure the 250,000 children living in poverty in our country do not find it funny. No doubt you do not either. Perhaps the comment caught you off guard."
The lengthy email continues: "However, I do not think that is a kind reflection of our country, nor is it a kind reflection of yourself. My grandmother has met you several times. I believe she bumped into you on the street recently outside of professional commitments, and you recognised her and stopped to speak to her.
"She always describes you as decent, as a man with integrity. President Trump made a pig ignorant comment, one I don't think you'd agree with, or perhaps maybe you do, maybe you enjoy being aligned with a man who agrees with Nazi salutes and persecuting innocent people.
"But to laugh as you did, about the fact that we have record breaking and growing numbers of homeless people, not to
mention the amount of children in that number. And none of that reflects the thousands upon thousands of Irish people struggling everyday. And the thousands of my peers who emigrate every year because they can't build a future in Ireland. I doubt it is funny to them. Would you say it is?
"You know all of this regarding the state of the country, your staff know all of this. We may have disagreed about how to fix it, but I didn't think that we would also end up disagreeing on your character nor how you represent the country abroad. I'm sorry to
say that is no longer true.
"It's a great shame, for both yourself and the country that you would giggle regarding the most serious issue facing our country, I would implore you to apologise, as I believe this is the type of man you are but I don't know if it would do any good. Thank you for your time at least."
An "Irishman living in America" wrote: "I have never been prouder than to watch your interactions with the US President today, and your comments at the press conference afterwards. I will show it to my kids as an example of speaking truth to power, respectfully."
An email with the subject line 'congratulations' read: "I would like to congratulate you on your amazing visit to the White House. Ireland should be very proud of you, what a statesman. It was nice to have your lovely wife by your side.
"I hope you enjoy St Patrick's weekend at home in Cork having done a great job."
One person thanked the Taoiseach for "making us proud in your handling of your trip to the Oval Office and your meeting with president Trump".
"It was a delicate situation irably handled by you and your colleagues."
In another criticial message, the author said Mr Martin's meeting with Mr Trump made them "ashamed to be Irish".
The message referred to Mr Trump's comments about moving Palestinians out of Gaza.
"I am proud of how the Irish public has united against the genocide we are witnessing. The government however are letting us down. This was clear when you failed to the Occupied Territories Bill, and this was clear again today. I understand that the Irish economy is vulnerable when it comes to an unpredictable Trump istration and that was your focus of the day.
"However, to be asked a direct question about the Irish stance on Gaza and respond by citing your tríp to Israel was reprehensible. I won't even begin to describe my frustration as you sat smiling as Trump degraded transgender people.
"As a young person, your government is driving me from my home which I love so dearly, not only because I will never be able to afford a home but also because you fail to represent the views of the Irish people on the international stage."
Another message praised Mr Martin for keeping calm during the meeting.
"Well, fair play to you! I don't know how you managed to keep so calm and zip it when talking to looper Trump. I'd say you felt like thumping that racist, misogynistic, lying narcissist! Keep on going!"
Someone else told Mr Martin he "played a blinder" in the meeting with Mr Trump.
One critical message told Mr Martin "by visitng Trump, you are endorsing his behaviour".
"You should be ashamed of yourself. Ireland is a country that has always those less fortune than us and now you are ing the 2025 version of Hitler."
Another message accused Mr Martin of "appeasing a fascist".
Would you bring shamrocks and vodka over to Putin's house?
It read: "How can you look into a mirror after appeasing a man sending people to Guantanamo Bay, who wants to take over countries with his military, who encourages violence against people of colour, trans people, women, and who is a convicted rapist?
"How can you speak to your family after this absolute lack of empathy for the people he is hurting, and the atrocities he has and is committing? Trump and Vance are enemies to democracy, and to humanity itself. Would you bring shamrocks and vodka over to Putin's house? Or a pint of Guinness to Hitler? You are a disgrace, and you should stay in America if this is how you feel."
Another person said Mr Martin handled the "tightrope" of meeting Mr Trump well.
"I just wänted to congratulate you on handling an extremely difficult high stakes situation in the White House extremely well. You did the best anyone could have in that tightrope which had to be walked. You were the absolute best person we had to handle this situation. Thank you for doing us proud."
I think you navigated the occasion with great statesmanship.
Another person who told the Taoiseach "I am not necessarily of your political viewpoint" wrote: "Your performance in the Oval Office in particular this week struck an excellent cord in no doubt a very challenging environment and given how meetings with the current American President have gone with other international leaders in recent weeks I think you navigated the occasion with great statesmanship, there is a lot to be said for having an adult in the room.
"I wish you and your family continued health and success and want to reiterate my thanks for your guidance and statesmanship in representing our country on the international stage in very fraught times."
