Politics
Trump Flies To Ireland To Watch Golf At A Course He Already Owns
By Sean Vanity, . BSN Network. Satire.
President Donald Trump arrived in Ireland this week for a state visit that the White House called a reaffirmation of the historic transatlantic relationship between the United States and the Republic of Ireland. The visit includes a formal sit-down with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and a planned appearance at the Irish Open, which is currently being played at Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg, a property the president has personally owned since 2014.
So to be precise: the leader of the free world boarded Air Force One, crossed the Atlantic Ocean, and flew to a golf tournament at his own golf course. Diplomacy was also scheduled.
The White House confirmed the itinerary without apparent embarrassment. A spokesperson described the Irish Open appearance as an opportunity for the president to, quote, engage with one of Ireland's most celebrated sporting traditions. The course hosting that tradition charges green fees of up to 450 euros and is owned by the man now sitting across from the Taoiseach discussing trade policy.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin welcomed Trump to Dublin with the careful warmth of a man who has done the math. The two leaders discussed tariffs, the Northern Ireland situation, and the broader US-EU relationship. At no point, according to official readouts, did anyone mention that one party to the trade discussions is also a landlord collecting revenue from the Irish sporting event the same trip is built around.
Doonbeg itself is a real golf course and a fine one. Trump bought it out of receivership, spent considerable money on it, and has been promoting it ever since. It sits on the Clare coastline and has the kind of dramatic Atlantic views that photograph beautifully from a helicopter, which the president arrived in.
Rory McIlroy, who is actually playing in the Irish Open and therefore has a professional reason to be there, was asked about the presidential attendance. He said it was great for the tournament's profile. McIlroy is a diplomat of the first order.
Ludwig von Mises did not live to see a sitting American president treat a NATO ally as a destination because he needed to check on his rough conditions, but the theoretical framework was always there.
A senior Irish government official, speaking on background, noted that the visit was an important moment for bilateral relations. He then noted it again. He did not take further questions.
Back in Washington, ethics watchdogs pointed out that a president attending a major tournament at a property he owns generates direct promotional value for that property, raises questions about emoluments, and sets a precedent that future presidents may find useful. The watchdogs have been pointing this out since 2017 and have developed very strong pointing muscles.
The broader diplomatic output of the visit remains to be seen. What is already clear is that Trump arrived in a country he has business interests in, met its leader, and then went to his golf course. He watched some golf. The Atlantic relationship was reaffirmed.
The Irish Open continues through Sunday. Tickets are still available at trumpgolfdoonbeg.com.
The story we are making fun of: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-ireland-dublin-visit-irish-open-golf/