Trump voices SUPPORT for UNIFIED Ireland
President Donald Trump voiced his backing for a united Ireland during a visit to Dublin, making the comments shortly after UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham dismissed the prospect of new independence or unification referendums in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
The first ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on Monday urged the British government to “prepare for, plan and facilitate” constitutional changes that could ultimately reshape—or even break apart—the United Kingdom. Their appeal came days after Trump said he would “love to see” Ireland reunified.
“Westminster’s time is coming to an end,” Scottish First Minister John Swinney, Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill declared in a joint statement issued at a landmark summit in Cardiff.
The nationalist leaders gathered to deepen cooperation between Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland while promoting what they called a path toward “constitutional change.”
Leaders from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland say Westminster is failing and support the right to self-determination. (Adrian DENNIS / AFP via Getty Images)
Signed at the Cardiff meeting, the declaration represents an unusually direct challenge to Burnham’s government and to the United Kingdom’s longstanding constitutional structure.
Trump addressed Northern Ireland’s future over the weekend. Speaking during a Saturday stop in Dublin, he said reunification would happen eventually and suggested there was little reason to wait.
The president reiterated his support for a united Ireland on Sunday, arguing that combining the Republic of Ireland with Northern Ireland appeared to be a logical outcome.
“You have Northern Ireland and you have Ireland,” Trump said in Doonbeg. “It would seem to me that putting them together is one of the most natural things of all time.”
President Donald Trump watches from the first tee during the final day of the Irish Open on Sept. 13, 2026, in Doonbeg, Ireland. (Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
When asked about Scotland, Trump offered no immediate position. “That one I won’t talk about yet. I’ll save that for another day,” he said.
The following day, the three nationalist leaders published a memorandum of understanding outlining their shared effort to pursue constitutional reform.
They argued that no government based at Westminster should be able to prevent Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland from acting on democratic decisions made by their own voters.
“Each of our nations has the right to determine its own future through democratic means and in accordance with the wishes of its people,” the leaders wrote.
“For the first time ever, people across these islands have first ministers in Scotland, Wales and the North of Ireland who are all committed to independence from the United Kingdom,” they said. “For people watching across these islands—and around the world—there could be no clearer sign that Westminster’s time is coming to an end.”
Andy Burnham delivers his inaugural speech as UK’s new Prime Minister on July 20, 2026 in London, England. The Member of Parliament for Makerfield becomes the UK’s 59th Prime Minister, succeeding Sir Keir Starmer, who resigned as leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister in June. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
“We call for the British Government to prepare for, plan and facilitate constitutional change in each jurisdiction,” the memorandum said.
According to GB News, Burnham was told Monday that he could not stop the breakup of the U.K.
Sinn Féin, the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly, issued the warning after signing the memorandum with the SNP and Plaid Cymru.
O’Neill said the three nations shared a “common cause” because “Westminster does not and will never serve our people well.”
She added during a news conference that Burnham would not be able to “hold back the tide” of nationalism.
“We’re certainly living in times of enormous change, change that is unstoppable, change that, no matter what is said by any British prime minister, will not be able to hold back the tide of what’s happening in front of our eyes right now.
“Our common cause here is the understanding that Westminster does not and will never serve our people well,” she added.
President Donald Trump speaks with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, on St. Patrick’s Day, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Washington. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo)
The memorandum commits the parties to cooperation on economic policy, renewable energy and rebuilding ties with the European Union, among other areas.
It also calls for greater self-determination and states that the nations should work together as equals.
A spokesperson for Burnham said: “The Prime Minister is committed to delivering change across all four nations of the United Kingdom and believes strongly in the Union.
“The United Kingdom is at its best when people come together around our shared values and problem-solving, rather than division, and the Prime Minister will continue to ease pressures on household finances and delivering greater economic security, rather than engaging in constitutional debates or further referendums.”
News Outlet has reached out to 10 Downing Street for comment.
