President Trump hosts Ireland Taoiseach Micheál Martin at a Friends of Ireland luncheon.
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NewsTranscript
00:00Well, I hope you all enjoyed your meals.
00:25We'll get the program going again.
00:26We have some of the busiest people in the world in the room, so we want to be a good
00:29steward of your time.
00:31I mentioned earlier that Irish-Americans have left an indelible mark on American history.
00:37And I had a few facts I wanted to share with you this afternoon to have you consider these.
00:41Irish men and women have taken up arms among American soldiers, they've made unmatched
00:46contributions to music and literature and the arts, and they've punched well above their
00:51weight in American government.
00:53Many Irish nationals played an essential role during the American Revolution.
00:58John Barry, for example, was an Irishman who received the first commission issued
01:01by the Continental Congress and is considered the father of our American Navy.
01:06He later became the first Navy captain to seize a British ship.
01:11We had three Irishmen who signed our Declaration of Independence, George Taylor, Matthew Thornton,
01:16and James Smith.
01:17One of the most recognized houses in the world was designed by James Hoban, an Irishman from
01:24County Kilkenny, when he designed our White House.
01:29And 23 of the 45 men who have served as United States President have Irish heritage, many
01:35of them proudly.
01:37And same for hundreds of congressmen and senators who have walked these hallowed halls.
01:42Today we celebrate their contributions and the truly special relationship among the United
01:47States and Ireland and the Irish people.
01:50So join me in a toast.
01:51Here I am again without a glass.
01:53I'm supposed to be toasting.
01:54I'm going to grab one.
01:56A glass of water, no less.
02:02It works as well.
02:06And the toast is in.
02:07Hold on.
02:08Man, I am really messing this up.
02:09But we're all friends here.
02:12And I don't know where it went.
02:13All right, I'm just going to toast.
02:16It was a beautiful toast.
02:17Trust me, it was great.
02:20To the United States, to Ireland, to this beautiful relationship, and to all who aspire
02:24to be Irish around the world, cheers.
02:30Solange.
02:31That's right.
02:32That's what I'm supposed to say.
02:33I have the pleasure of introducing our own head of state here.
02:37This luncheon offers an opportunity for both Americans and the Irish to reflect on our
02:42past and on our future.
02:44In 1981, Senator Ted Kennedy and Senator Daniel Moynihan and Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill
02:51started this great tradition, the Congressional Friends of Ireland.
02:54They aimed to celebrate their shared Irish heritage, deepen ties between our two nations,
02:59and promote peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
03:03In 1983, the Friends of Ireland Luncheon was born when President Ronald Reagan, of course
03:07of proud Irish heritage, and the Taoiseach visited Capitol Hill to celebrate Irish heritage
03:14and St. Patrick's Day.
03:16This lunch was the embodiment of that, of charity and friendship across political differences,
03:22and it has led to real-world international diplomatic successes.
03:28Many historians credit the advocacy of the Friends of Ireland Caucus as essential in
03:33the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, and we welcome continued efforts to promote
03:38and preserve this agreement and promises of a bright future for the Friends of Ireland.
03:44Last year, I hosted this luncheon alongside President Biden.
03:48Our political differences were on stark display.
03:50It was obvious.
03:51That's an understatement.
03:52But he was our incumbent Democratic president, and I was the Republican House Speaker.
03:57And still, we shared laughs at the table at this event.
03:59It was one of the rare moments of the year where we could do that.
04:02That's what this celebration is all about.
04:06We laid down our swords, and in the spirit of Tip O'Neill and Ronald Reagan, we broke
04:09bread together and celebrated what binds us all together, rather than what divides
04:14us.
04:15This year is a little different, of course.
04:16The political dynamics on Capitol Hill are extraordinarily different.
04:21President Trump is back in the White House.
04:23Republicans control both chambers of Congress here in our form of government.
04:27We call that unified government.
04:29A year ago, people thought I was crazy for predicting that we would be here today, but
04:33we are.
04:34And we're facing a new dawn for America and our bilateral relationships.
04:38And I know that we can look forward to working together to promote and preserve our friendships.
04:42It's an important, informative time around the world to do that.
04:46So in keeping with the proud U.S.-Ireland tradition and the spirit of the Friends of
04:50Ireland Luncheon, it's my great privilege to present the 45th and 47th President of
04:56the United States, Donald J. Trump.
04:59Thank you very much.
05:22Thank you very much, everybody.
05:23It's a great honor.
05:24I've been here just about every time.
05:26We had one that was terminated because of a thing called COVID.
05:29I don't know if anybody's heard of that, but that was never pleasant.
05:34And we would have been together twice, but we had COVID interrupted twice.
05:39And I appreciate seeing you again, however.
05:43And you've done a fantastic job.
05:44We very much appreciate you being here.
05:47And I also want to thank my new friends from Northern Ireland for being here, who I just
05:51met.
05:52Thank you very much.
05:53It's a great honor.
05:54Great honor.
05:55And I must say, they spoke very well of you.
06:00So that's good.
06:01That's good.
06:02And great to be with you.
06:04And thank you to Speaker Johnson, and thank you to all of the members of Congress who
06:09are here.
06:10Quite a few, most of which are Irish, most of whom are Irish.
06:15And we welcome Tashouk.
06:19And I love the name, because Michal.
06:23But it's Michael.
06:25I said, how many people call you Michael?
06:26It's exactly Michael.
06:27I said, he said, about 50 percent.
06:29I said, do you get upset when they do?
06:32He said, no, but I'm going to call you Michal, because that's the way it is.
06:36Martin, who has really been terrific, I've been with him quite a bit.
06:41I've spoken to him quite a bit, and we're going to have no problems.
06:44And his wife, Mary, we welcome you to America.
06:48Fantastic people.
06:50And it's really a wonderful annual tradition being here.
06:54We're also grateful to be joined by Irish Ambassador to the United States, Geraldine
06:59Byrne-Nason.
07:00Where's Geraldine?
07:01Hi, Geraldine.
07:02Thank you very much.
07:03And the entire Irish delegation.
07:09And I know we're a little bit, everybody's a little bit late today, but that's okay,
07:14because we're celebrating the Irish, and I think it's okay we're a little bit late.
07:19I also want to congratulate a friend of mine, Ed Walsh.
07:23He's a great golfer.
07:24He's a championship golfer, actually.
07:26Not quite as good as Rory, but that's okay.
07:29But he's right up there.
07:30He's won many, many club championships, many club championships, and he's one of the best
07:37golfers you'll ever see.
07:38And congratulations.
07:39Boy, you're going to have fun over there.
07:41He's going to be the ambassador to Ireland.
07:43So congratulations, Ed.
07:45Well, maybe it is thanks to me, but you're going to have a good time.
07:49You're going to represent us well.
07:51He can do most of his business on the golf course, too.
07:53That's a nice way.
07:54He's got the best job of anybody.
07:57And I really appreciate so many of my friends being here.
08:01So many great friends are here.
08:04This afternoon, we're gathered to celebrate the deep and abiding ties of history, family,
08:09and friendship that bind together Ireland and the United States of America.
08:13The Irish American patriots have been part of our national history and our country's
08:18earliest days.
08:20Amazing history they have with our country.
08:22Irish Americans fought heroically in our war for independence, served with honor in the
08:27crucible of the Civil War, and won fame and valor among Theodore Roosevelt's famous Rough
08:34Riders.
08:35They were Rough Riders.
08:37By some estimates, more than 2,000 Irish American warriors have earned the Congressional Medal
08:42of Honor.
08:43That's an amazing statistic, because who would ever think that's even possible?
08:48It's more than 50 percent of the Medals of Honor were won by the Irish.
08:52I'm going to have to check that.
08:54That sounds like —
08:55That's like — that's an awfully good statistic.
08:58We're going to have to check what's going on over there, huh?
09:01But that's an amazing statistic, actually — 50 percent.
09:05This includes the great Audie Murphy, the most decorated enlisted soldier in American
09:10history whose service in the Second World War earned a Medal of Honor, two Silver Stars,
09:16a Broad Star, three Purple Hearts, and the Legion of Merit.
09:21Quite a person.
09:22Became a movie actor.
09:23The movie actor stuff wasn't quite as good as the soldier that he did, but he was great.
09:29Became a very famous person, actually.
09:32America has truly been blessed by the courage and unstoppable spirit of the Irish.
09:37Over the generations, Americans of Irish ancestry have helped build our railroads and raise
09:44our cities and man our factories, enrich our culture with art and music and literature.
09:50We see that all over.
09:52And protect our communities by joining the proud tradition of Irish-American police officers
09:57and firefighters.
09:58And few have done more for the stars and stripes than the sons and daughters of the Emerald
10:04Isle.
10:05And I can tell you, I know your father was a great boxer, and they have a lot of good
10:10fighters.
10:11I know so many Irish fighters.
10:12They like to fight, and they're damn good at it, too.
10:15But your father — his father was a great fighter, actually.
10:18So that means, genetically, I'm not going to mess around with you.
10:21You understand.
10:22I'm a believer in that.
10:23But as you know, on Monday, millions of Americans will celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
10:28We love St. Patrick's Day, maybe especially in New York.
10:32Hundreds of thousands of citizens decked in Irish green will parade through the streets
10:36of Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, and, of course, New York, a site that I've witnessed
10:41many, many times.
10:43In Manhattan, the people will stream up Fifth Avenue and march past the magnificent — I
10:48see it so much and I love it, especially when you're looking down upon St. Patrick's Cathedral,
10:54because it's, to me, one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world.
10:58And it's a monument not only to God, but also to the Patriot Saint of Ireland — Patriot
11:04Saint.
11:05It's really an extraordinary testament to the connection between our two countries that,
11:12after more than 1,500 years, the shining legacy of St. Patrick still rouses city blocks half
11:19the world away — think of that — and fills our people with incredible love and pride.
11:24We have a lot of pride in that cathedral.
11:27That cathedral is something, to me, so beautiful.
11:31I think maybe my favorite.
11:33They have larger, you know?
11:34It's very large, but they have larger.
11:36But I think it's truly one of the most beautiful.
11:39The Irish spirit is truly alive and thriving in America, and as we see today, the friendship
11:45between our nations is strong and it's really unbreakable.
11:48And that includes all of you, you know?
11:50It's all of you.
11:51We love you all.
11:54So, Tashouk, I want to just thank you once again for being here.
11:58It's an honor.
11:59And hopefully, we're going to be doing this at least three more times, okay?
12:03We're going to be doing this three more times — at least.
12:05When I say at least, they go absolutely crazy.
12:08So, thank you very much for being here.
12:11Mary, thank you very much for being here.
12:13It's a great honor.
12:15Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
12:16Thank you, everybody.
12:36Thank you, Mr. President.
12:38Our next guest is not a stranger to this event.
12:41However, this is actually the first time we have the privilege of welcoming the Tashouk
12:46Michal Martin.
12:49I said that right.
12:50We were talking about — I'm Michael, too, but that's how we say it very plainly and
12:54boringly in the U.S., and it's the same name over there.
12:57It's Michal.
12:58I like it a lot better.
12:59But we're welcoming him to the Friends of Ireland luncheon in person as the new Tashouk.
13:04And this is interesting because in 2021 — it was mentioned earlier — this luncheon was
13:09virtual due to the ongoing COVID pandemic.
13:13And in 2022, the Tashouk was in town and slated to attend, but he had a positive COVID
13:19diagnosis himself and forced him to deliver remarks virtually once again.
13:24So now, finally, finally, we welcome him in person to this great event, and we're so excited
13:30to have you in the Capitol, my friend.
13:32I welcome you to the podium now, the Tashouk Michal Martin.
13:49Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Chairman Kelly and Neil, senators, representatives, ladies
13:56and gentlemen, I want to thank you all for welcoming me and Mary to Washington, D.C.,
14:01to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.
14:04And it is a good feeling to be COVID-free and to be here on that day.
14:09But may I in particular say I'm pleased also to be joined by the Deputy First Minister
14:14for Northern Ireland, Emma Little-Pengelly.
14:16Very pleased to have you here, Emma, as well.
14:24This is a cherished opportunity to break bread with our most steadfast friends.
14:29And as has been said, it's now more than 40 years since Speaker Tip O'Neill invited
14:34President Ronald Reagan to the Capitol for the first St. Patrick's Day lunch, and thus
14:40began a very proud tradition, which I am honored to continue today in your esteemed company.
14:47President Trump, thank you for joining us today to mark our national day.
14:52You were a great friend of Ireland, and by the way, all those statistics that you quoted
14:57are absolutely, verifiably true.
15:01I also know, President, that there's one small corner in the west of Ireland, a beautiful
15:06and remote part called Doonbeg in County Clare, which holds a very special place in your heart.
15:13And we hope to welcome you back to our small island, and indeed to these particular greens
15:19very soon.
15:21Speaker Johnson, once again, you have graciously gathered our dear friends in this August house
15:27to mark St. Patrick's Day.
15:29You too are a true friend of our nation.
15:32We thank you for your hospitality in what is a very busy week for you.
15:39For centuries now, America has been a place of welcome and opportunity for Irish people.
15:45Our nation's green has been threaded through the rich tapestry of the United States by
15:51almost 32 million Irish Americans.
15:55Their forebears left a very different Ireland to the one we know today.
16:00Many were fleeing the grinding poverty and terrible hunger which blighted Ireland in
16:05centuries past.
16:07They left in desperation, but also in determination, to forge a brighter future for their children.
16:15They channeled that commitment into building stronger communities and ultimately a stronger
16:21nation – this great nation.
16:24Many of their descendants are with us today, true friends of Ireland who continue to work
16:30tirelessly for a future of peace and prosperity on our island.
16:35Indeed, we need look no further than the co-chairs of the Friends of Ireland Caucus.
16:42Our dear friends, Congressman Neill and Congressman Kelly's bold leadership and vision unites
16:48Irish American members from both sides of the aisle through the Congressional Friends
16:53of Ireland Caucus.
16:55Throughout our troubles, the Friends of Ireland, Republican and Democrat alike, held fast
17:01to a vision of Ireland not marred by violence or terror.
17:06You worked unrelentingly to realise that fragile hope.
17:11You stood shoulder to shoulder with us, no matter how fierce the challenge – and there
17:16were many such challenges.
17:18And it is that same determination that, together, we must devote today to today's conflicts
17:25in the Ukraine and in the Middle East.
17:28And our shared history teaches us that peace, however elusive it may sometimes seem, is
17:35achievable.
17:37Its promise remains within our grasp.
17:40Mr. President, we are forever grateful for the United States' contribution to transforming
17:45our island.
17:47And we wish you well in the efforts that you are making to bring peace to the Ukraine and
17:53to the Middle East and further afield.
17:55We thank you for your leadership and, indeed, your ongoing friendship to Ireland.
18:01Thank you once again for joining us today.
18:04Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for your gracious hospitality.
18:08And thank you to our dearest friends in this room.
18:11A very happy St. Patrick's Day to you all.
18:14As we might say in Gaelic, go raibh míle maith agaibh agus beannachtaí no éile pádraig
18:21orruibh go léir.
18:23Go raibh míle maith agaibh.
18:24Thank you very much indeed.
18:25Thank you again, Taoiseach, and thank you, Mr. President.
18:41I am very excited because we have a special treat for you all today.
18:45Joining us to provide entertainment is the famous Riverdance Irish Dance Troupe.
18:50They're here.
18:51I know.
18:52You didn't know that was going to happen, did you?
18:53See?
18:55It's a party.
18:56I told you.
18:57Let me give you a little background on this.
18:58In 1994, during an interval act at the Eurovision Song Contest, there was a seven-minute dance
19:04routine that captivated the world.
19:07From that stage in Dublin, Riverdance was born.
19:10And in the more than 30 years since Riverdance has performed more than 15,000 times on six
19:16continents in 49 countries, they've developed quite a following.
19:21Riverdance spread first through Europe and then to America, and along the way, they have
19:24shared the culture of Irish music and dance to a generation of people around the globe
19:29now for more than three decades.
19:32And while we're only receiving an abridged version of the very famous show today, Riverdance
19:36is performing here in Washington at the Kennedy Center through March 16th.
19:41The Kennedy Center was kind enough to lend these exceptional performers for us here for
19:44the afternoon.
19:45The stop at our nation's capital is the first of a 30-city nationwide tour, and we encourage
19:50all Friends of Ireland and lovers of Irish culture to experience this incredible show.
19:55You are going to get a little taste of that right now.
19:58So please join me in welcoming these great Friends of Ireland to the stage.
20:02Riverdance, y'all come on.
21:33Riverdance, y'all come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come
23:00on.
23:01Thunder and lightning batter the rocks.
23:03The winds howl and great storms break on the forest, scatter the herds like grain.
23:12Fire leaps from dark to dark, fear and anger leap to meet it.
23:19We will not go down.
23:22We will not be beaten down like grain.
23:52We will not be beaten down like grain.