He came as a private citizen but the Dail government still found it necessary to lick the maniac's arse in a bid to curry favour. A little bit like going to Vlad the Impaler’s diner party, those who could grovel the most did not get impaled on a spike and not turning up at all was not an option.
Donald Trump is a little like the beast Vlad in his desire and need for attention and having people, governments, grovel before him. Trump thinks very much along the lines of the school bully knowing full well who he can pick on the most, who desires to be well in with him, and who to leave alone.
For once in their post Second World War existence the British government, and this is unusual, stood up to Trump. The last time a British Prime Minister stood up and faced down a US leader was Harold Wilson when he refused Lyndon Johnson's demand for British troops in Vietnam during the nineteen-sixties. Former British incumbent, Keir Starmer, told Trump he could not use British bases for aggressive attacks on Iran but they were available for defence! Whatever that means? By the standards of other government's Starmer, though probably crapping himself, did show a certain courage in refusing Trump. The US President is a vindictive man and new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, is no doubt aware of that. This vindictive side of Trump will become a little more apparent shortly. As a school bully Trump sees other world governments as weaker pupils in the playground with the possible exception of the equally deranged Vladimir Putin in Russia. Trump toys around with other governments and the mini fightback by the British may well come back to haunt them.
As a private citizen visiting Ireland there was no need for the five-star treatment afforded him by the twenty-six-county government but they did so all the same. Anything Trump may have said does not carry the weight of an official visit, his purpose here was golf. Even so he decided to make an off the cuff comment suggesting he favours a United Ireland, “unification is gonna happen”, were one of his passing remarks. This was not a statement of official US policy it was Trump being, in my opinion, mischievous. He threw a ‘Sprat and caught a Mackerel’. His suggestion was probably said in jest and was taken much more seriously than the comedian intended. Not that it matters. Trump, if the shit hit the fan, would no doubt say he was visiting in a private capacity and can’t remember what he said.
As a private citizen visiting Ireland there was no need for the five-star treatment afforded him by the twenty-six-county government but they did so all the same. Anything Trump may have said does not carry the weight of an official visit, his purpose here was golf. Even so he decided to make an off the cuff comment suggesting he favours a United Ireland, “unification is gonna happen”, were one of his passing remarks. This was not a statement of official US policy it was Trump being, in my opinion, mischievous. He threw a ‘Sprat and caught a Mackerel’. His suggestion was probably said in jest and was taken much more seriously than the comedian intended. Not that it matters. Trump, if the shit hit the fan, would no doubt say he was visiting in a private capacity and can’t remember what he said.
Sinn Fein Leader, Mary Lou McDonald, appears to have taken the bait claiming the unification debate has the support of the US President, she said “the commentary from the President of the United States reflects burying heads in the sand is no longer an option” referring to Micheal Martin's unenthusiastic views on unification. The Taoiseach I believe does not really want Irish unity as he makes plain enough in his narratives. If called to task Trump may deny all this and as no minutes were taken, he could claim it was a joke to wind Andy Burnham up. On this an element of truth may be there, any talk of Irish unification by Trump would irk the British Prime Minister who has said, coming as no surprise, a border poll on Irish unity was “off the table”. Because of these few off the cuff lines by a narcissistic delusionist on Irish unification is taken as gospel it would appear by Sinn Fein who would have us believe movement on the subject is inevitable.
This mountain from a mole hill if they could only see it puts Sinn Fein potentially in a precarious position. Because the party leader and, no doubt all lower ranks, have taken Trump’s at best dubious word he could have them in his pocket. The next time Mary Lou is shouting from the away end in Dail Eireann attacking US, and Trump in particular, policies in the Middle East, essentially Gaza, perhaps all the US President would need to say is, along the lines:
This mountain from a mole hill if they could only see it puts Sinn Fein potentially in a precarious position. Because the party leader and, no doubt all lower ranks, have taken Trump’s at best dubious word he could have them in his pocket. The next time Mary Lou is shouting from the away end in Dail Eireann attacking US, and Trump in particular, policies in the Middle East, essentially Gaza, perhaps all the US President would need to say is, along the lines:
Can I remind Sinn Fein of my support for their case regarding Irish unity? If they wish that support to continue, they’d better shut their critical mouths about our activities and policy in Gaza and the West Bank.
Trump knows this support, if that is what it was, is not official or US policy. It was a meaningless remark and nothing more with no clout whatsoever! The fact Sinn Fein believe Trump to be pro-unity will be enough to send delusions through the ranks of the opposition benches (the away end) in Dail Eireann as the Sinn Fein leadership appear to believe Trump suddenly to be the best thing since sliced bread! From sinner to saint based on an off the cuff remark, Trump must be laughing his balls off.
By taking this line, instead of ignoring what could turn out to be nothing more than Trump's mischievous behaviour, making one of the bullied believe the bully is on their side against the British, Sinn Fein have possibly compromised their position and support for the Palestinians. I think strategically Sinn Fein should have continued to push, if that is what they are doing, for a poll on unification without referencing Trump unless somebody else, the Taoiseach for example, decides to invoke Trump's comments. Instead they have reacted to the cattle prodders prod and now the herd is moving, but moving where to? They will follow Mary Lou all the way until the party are possibly made to look foolish by Donald Trump. With one off the cuff comment favouring Irish unification Donald Trump has potentially silenced one of his greatest critics over treatment of the Palestinians and general Middle-Eastern policies. He has thrown down a gauntlet, indirectly, to Sinn Fein along the lines of Irish Unity or support for Palestine, which one is it to be? What if he demands Sinn Fein choose between the two?
Stop referencing Trump on Irish unity and stop now. You are doing the cause no favours whatsoever. The only interest Trump has in Ireland is that fucking golf course of his in Doonbeg, County Clare. He is not interested in the fabled ‘Good Friday Agreement’ or Irish unity no matter what he might say when making pleasantries! If he were to play golf in England and met Andy Burnham Trump would probably agree with the British PM that a border poll is “off the table” and Irish unity is neither preferred or on the horizon. The man cannot be trusted. He is not consistent even in official policy let alone when having no more than a chat. However his comments appear enough to send Sinn Fein onto cloud nine or the Twilight Zone.
Another potential quid pro quo Trump left us with was his promise to ease tariffs on Irish Whiskey exports to the US. Should he be believed? Well, no sane person would give such a promise house room, but Micheal Martin appears as excited over this promise as Mary Lou is over his comments on Irish unity. Again Trump has potentially, if he chooses, silenced a critic. The recognition of Palestine by the twenty-six-county administration, rightly so, could be compromised if Trump decides so. Imagine if his, again unofficial, promises to reduce tariffs is at the price the government drop this recognition of Palestine? This is one of the problems with getting too friendly with a malignant narcissist like Donald Trump. They are not and never can be trustworthy and if it suits them they will stab anybody in the back to further their own interests.
Another potential quid pro quo Trump left us with was his promise to ease tariffs on Irish Whiskey exports to the US. Should he be believed? Well, no sane person would give such a promise house room, but Micheal Martin appears as excited over this promise as Mary Lou is over his comments on Irish unity. Again Trump has potentially, if he chooses, silenced a critic. The recognition of Palestine by the twenty-six-county administration, rightly so, could be compromised if Trump decides so. Imagine if his, again unofficial, promises to reduce tariffs is at the price the government drop this recognition of Palestine? This is one of the problems with getting too friendly with a malignant narcissist like Donald Trump. They are not and never can be trustworthy and if it suits them they will stab anybody in the back to further their own interests.
Will Trump lower or even drop completely the tariffs on Irish Whiskey exports to the USA? Is it in his gift to do so even if he said it officially? Remember the man who came here for the golf was in civies meaning he was a private citizen in his, not presidential, time. Anything said in this capacity should be taken with a huge pinch of salt and watch out for the pitfalls.
The offer of tariff reductions should have been accepted with mild appreciation not ringing the bells of permanent prosperity courtesy of Donald Trump. Micheal Martin, Simon Harris, Mary Lou McDonald and uncle Tom Cobley and all were taking soup with Trump. Not one of them had a very long spoon. If the intentions were to buy this rubbish from the off duty Trump the purchasers should perhaps remember, ‘caveat emptor’!!!
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| Caoimhin O’Muraile is Independent Socialist Republican and Marxist. |
I think Sinn Fein's embrace of the Trump position is a sign of the desperation that is taking hold. I doubt they believe it although many in the grassroots have shown themselves capable of believing anything. I seriously believe if asked to wear MAGA caps (and spoofed to that it was just to spook the unionist horses) they would do it and call you names for refusing. You can't see the big picture Caoimhin
ReplyDeleteA base that has been lied to for so long by its leadership more than any other in this country, yet is still willing to swallow the bull.
You are right about the malignant narcissism of Trump. A malignant narcissist will blame everybody else for everything, hate all around them and are totally untrustworthy. Your characterisation of him is on the money.