Path to Power A Bowl of Shamrock and a Billion Dollars for Trump
Jan 24, 2026
Brenda Power, columnist and broadcaster on law and politics, and John Deasy, former Fine Gael TD and ex-envoy to the US, discuss Trump’s Board of Peace and whether Ireland could be pressured to pay up. They debate US–Ireland diplomacy, MAGA’s prospects in Ireland, the Mercosur vote, the influence of big tech over regulation, deepfake harms, and the stalled M4 bus corridor.
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Make A Clear, Timely Decision
- Decide swiftly and publicly to avoid being pressured or ambushed close to a state visit.
- Communicate Ireland's collective European stance to reduce the risk of being singled out.
Deal With Trump By Staying Low-Profile
- Trump prizes ego-driven, performative wins and can reverse positions quickly.
- Ireland should "keep its head down" and avoid behaviours that make it a target.
Trump's Wary View Of The Irish
- John Deasy recalls Trump saying, “you guys are involved in everything,” showing his wary view of the Irish.
- That distrust alters how Trump treats Irish officials and diaspora influence in US politics.