Fact Check: Did Trump announce plans to unite Ireland as 51st US state in social media post?
DUBLIN, IRELAND: Amid his visit to Dublin, where President Donald Trump pushed for a unified Ireland, an allegation began circulating on social media claiming that the president had floated the idea of Ireland becoming the 51st US state in a social media post.
The claim sparked concern and speculation, with many calling for a fact check.
Claim: Trump suggested unifying Ireland as 51st US state
The rumor gained traction after a screenshot purportedly showing a post by Trump on his official Truth Social account began circulating online.
The alleged post states, “I am putting together a plan that people are calling the GREATEST DEAL IN EUROPEAN HISTORY-we are going to UNITE IRELAND! Total unification, north, south, east, west all of it!”
“The Irish people have a massive problem-Radical Left politicians have let in millions of illegal immigrants who are completely destroying their beautiful cities!"
"Total crime disaster! I told them: ‘Get rid of the criminals, clean up the streets, send them back!’ Once you do that, Ireland can officially become the 51st STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! The 51st State, think of that!”
“And by the way, they have a magnificent dance over there called the Riverdance-incredible rhythm, very high energy!”
“But I watched it closely, and I said, 'Why is nobody allowed to use their arms?’ They keep their arms pinned straight down by their sides like human statues! Unbelievable! Who made that rule?”
“Total bureaucratic failure! Under my Administration, when Ireland becomes a State, WE ARE GOING TO ALLOW THE ARMS! You can wave them, you can pump your fists-big, powerful, patriotic arm movements!"
"It's going to be twice as fast and 100% better! CLEAN UP IRELAND, FREE THE ARMS, AND WELCOME TO THE U.S.A.! MAKE IRELAND GREAT AGAIN!”
Fact Check: The claim originated as satire
The screenshot, however, is fake, as no such post appeared on any of Trump’s social media accounts.
Moreover, a closer look at the screenshot reveals several signs of fabrication, including a watermark stating, ‘@Mrs Putin Satire.’
Although Trump said that he would love to see a unified Ireland during his recent visit to the country, there is no evidence that he floated the idea of unifying the region as the 51st state of the US.
“I don’t want to cause any problems, but I’d love to see it unified,” Trump said.
“I think it would be a great feather in everybody’s cap if that happened. You know what? The way I look at it, it’s going to happen eventually. It may as well happen now.”
