President Donald Trump sidestepped a question about anti-visit demonstrations in Ireland on Sunday by telling a female reporter she resembled the late Irish musician Sinéad O’Connor.
Donald Trump compared the reporter to Sinéad O’Connor instead of discussing the demonstrations
An unidentified female Press Association reporter asked Trump whether he had seen video of protests against his visit in Dublin and what he made of the opposition. “I don’t know,” Trump initially responded. The president then shifted focus, pointing at the reporter and telling her she reminded him of “a very cute Irish singer who passed away recently.”
“You know who that is?” Trump asked, not waiting for an answer before shouting: “Sinéad! You look like Sinéad O’Connor,” mispronouncing the singer’s first name. “That’s a compliment,” he added. “She sang beautifully.”
O’Connor, a Grammy winner, died in 2023. In 2024, her estate demanded that Trump stop playing her 1990 hit “Nothing Compares 2 U” at his rallies, stating she would have been “disgusted” and considered him a “biblical devil” (via The Daily Beast).
Moreover, the incident is the latest in a series of unfiltered and often criticized exchanges Trump has had with female reporters. Earlier this week, he criticized ABC reporter Rachel Scott for questioning his promise to grant Americans $5,000 if Republicans win the midterms. On August 29, he slammed New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman on Truth Social regarding her appearance and personality.
Separately, Trump told reporters in Dublin on Saturday that a unified Ireland would be “fantastic,” comments that London did not welcome. He remarked to Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, saying unification would “happen eventually” while acknowledging the UK would have a say.
Now, anti-war and anti-Trump protests took place in Dublin, with additional demonstrations planned near Trump’s golf course in Doonbeg. Protesters also objected to the high cost of hosting the president, including security expenses, arguing the funds could address healthcare and social issues.
