Trump reveals Melania's funny excuse for skipping Ireland trip: 'Maybe I'm not that friendly'

DUBLIN, IRELAND: President Donald Trump had his wife Melania in mind during his Ireland visit on Saturday, September 12, even though she was thousands of miles away.

While speaking at the US ambassador’s residence, the president shared the reason he said Melania had given for not joining him on the seven-hour journey.

Her response, as Trump recounted it, was less about scheduling and more about how sociable she was feeling.

Trump shares real reason behind FLOTUS' absence

Trump said Melania had sent her regards and was following the visit from afar.

He explained that she had declined to make the long trip, joking that she might not be quite as friendly as he is when it comes to meeting people.

“My wife is here in spirit. She’s watching right now,” Trump said.

He added that Melania had told him, “I said hello,” referring to the people she knows in Ireland.

Trump then recalled asking her why she had not come along.

“I said, well, ‘Why don’t you come with me?’ She said, ‘Well, it’s a seven-hour trip. Maybe I’m not that friendly,’” he said.

The president said he tried one more time to persuade her. “I said, ‘Put on a Make America Great Again hat, and come on, let’s go’. But she sends her regards.”

Trump’s remarks drew laughter from the audience.

Below is the video of Trump talking about Melania during his Ireland visit.

Trump talks Irish unity

During his Ireland visit, Trump also weighed in on the prospect of Irish reunification, saying he would welcome the island becoming one country.

After meeting Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Trump said he believed reunification was likely to happen eventually, while recognizing that any such move would also involve the UK.

“I’d love to see it unified,” Trump said, adding that he had friends on both sides of the issue and viewed them all as “great people.”

The video below shows Trump sharing his views on Irish reunification.

Trump suggested there was little point in delaying a development he believed was inevitable.

“I think it would be a great feather in everybody’s cap if that happened,” he said, arguing that “it’s going to happen eventually” and adding, “It may as well happen now.”

He also joked about the Irish people on both sides of the divide, saying, “They’re Irish people. How can they be bad, right?”

Trump ultimately maintained that reunification would be “a fantastic thing” and repeatedly questioned why it would be viewed negatively.