Ireland’s Prime Minister Defends Starmer In Awkward Trump Meeting

Ireland’s taoiseach publicly defended Keir Starmer after Donald Trump took yet another swipe at the UK prime minister.

The US president has been furious with Starmer ever since he refused to let American forces use British military sites to launch offensive strikes on Iran.

The PM has since allowed Trump to use UK bases for defensive strikes, despite warning the war is unlawful and unplanned.

Meanwhile, the president has accused Starmer of trying to join a war after it has already been won – and said he is “not Winston Churchill”.

Trump attacked Starmer again on Tuesday during Irish prime minister Micheal Martin’s visit to the Oval Office.

The president laid into Starmer for not joining his strikes on Iran, saying he had “gone out of my way” to come to a trade deal with the UK.

“Frankly, it probably wasn’t appreciated,” Trump said. “I like him, I think he’s a nice man, but I’m disappointed.”

Trump also tried to attack said he disagreed with Starmer over his “disaster” of an immigration policy and energy policy.

“You’ve allowed millions and millions of people into the country who shouldn’t be there. By the way, that’s all over Europe,” the president said.

But Martin then jumped in: “Keir Starmer has done a lot to reset the Irish-British relationship, I just want to put that on the record.

“I do believe he is a very earnest, solemn person, I think you have a capacity to get on with him, you’ve got on with him before.”

The taoiseach also tried to appeal to Trump over Ukraine, as the president consistently – and falsely – blames Kyiv for starting the war.

“The Russians did invade Ukraine, attack civilian infrastructure. The people of Ukraine just want peace and an opportunity to live,” Martin said. “We want a peaceful resolution of conflict.”

His remarks show how the tide is turning against Trump across Europe at a time when Nato is desperately trying to stay out of the US’s conflict in the Middle East.