By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-trump-and-johnson-speak-at-friends-of-ireland-luncheon Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Trump and Johnson speak at Friends of Ireland luncheon Politics Updated on Mar 12, 2025 5:37 PM EDT — Published on Mar 12, 2025 11:50 AM EDT President Donald Trump, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin and U.S. lawmakers celebrated the “strong” and “unbreakable” friendship between the United States and Ireland Wednesday during the annual Friends of Ireland luncheon on Capitol Hill. Watch Trump and Johnson’s remarks in the player above. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson toasted the relationship between the two countries and the Irish dance group “Riverdance” — which is performing at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. — made a surprise appearance to round out the event. Martin called Trump “a great friend of Ireland” and said he hopes to welcome him back to the country soon. Martin also thanked Trump and the American lawmakers for their work to secure peace in both Ukraine and the Middle East saying, “our shared history teaches us that peace, however elusive it may sometimes seem, is achievable. Its promise remains within our grasp.” For his part, Trump touted the “deep and abiding ties of history, family and friendship that bind” Ireland and the U.S. together and declared the Irish spirit to be “alive and thriving in America.” Trump noted he missed the luncheon in 2020, the last year of his first term, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re going to do this at least three more times,” Trump said of the remaining years in his term, to laughter in the room. “When I say ‘at least’ they go crazy.” We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
President Donald Trump, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin and U.S. lawmakers celebrated the “strong” and “unbreakable” friendship between the United States and Ireland Wednesday during the annual Friends of Ireland luncheon on Capitol Hill. Watch Trump and Johnson’s remarks in the player above. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson toasted the relationship between the two countries and the Irish dance group “Riverdance” — which is performing at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. — made a surprise appearance to round out the event. Martin called Trump “a great friend of Ireland” and said he hopes to welcome him back to the country soon. Martin also thanked Trump and the American lawmakers for their work to secure peace in both Ukraine and the Middle East saying, “our shared history teaches us that peace, however elusive it may sometimes seem, is achievable. Its promise remains within our grasp.” For his part, Trump touted the “deep and abiding ties of history, family and friendship that bind” Ireland and the U.S. together and declared the Irish spirit to be “alive and thriving in America.” Trump noted he missed the luncheon in 2020, the last year of his first term, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re going to do this at least three more times,” Trump said of the remaining years in his term, to laughter in the room. “When I say ‘at least’ they go crazy.” We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now