TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN’S 40-minute Oval Office appearance alongside Donald Trump yesterday has drawn a split reaction, with strong criticism from opposition parties at home.

During the press conference, Martin used his time to push for “robust and fair” immigration rules and floated the idea of a legal pathway between Ireland and the United States.

That approach appeared to land well with some US and UK commentators.

Journalist Antonella Guerrera said Martin had “slammed” Trump on migration, adding: “what a time to be alive”.

Irish Taoiseach @MichealMartinTD slams President Trump on migration. What a time to be alive.pic.twitter.com/RJ6CkV39JA

— Antonello Guerrera (@antoguerrera) March 17, 2026

Will Hazell, correspondent for the i Paper, described Martin as “impressive” in how he challenged the US president.

Others highlighted his defence of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during the exchange.

Trump once again said Starmer was “no Winston Churchill” and said that he was disappointed with him over his handling of the US and Israel’s war on Iran.

Responding to Trump, Martin said Starmer is a “very earnest, sound person” and he believes Trump has “a capacity to get on with” him.

Martin added that he believes the relationship between the US and Europe is “very, very important.”

He also told Trump that Starmer “has done a lot to reset the Irish-British relationship”, and that “he is a very earnest, sound person that I think you have a capacity to get on with.”

Broadcaster Lewis Goodall highlighted the moment in a post on X, while Financial Times commentator Edward Luce said Martin showed “clarity and some courage”.

World is changing. British and Irish leaders far more sympathetic to each other than the US president. When in history was that ever the case? https://t.co/y7aGlSF0WS

— Edward Luce (@EdwardGLuce) March 17, 2026

Irish political reaction

Reaction in Ireland has been far less positive.

Sinn Féin’s Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said the Taoiseach had “wasted a unique opportunity” to speak up for international law, criticising him for not addressing Gaza or US strikes on Iran.

“We cannot have the head of the Irish government ignoring the death and destruction in Gaza or the attacks on Iranian civilians. Irish people expect better than the Taoiseach turning the other way,” Ó Laoghaire said.

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said Martin was “almost entirely mute” for much of the press conference, and took aim at his comment that Trump was “doing your bit” for peace in the Middle East.

“The only person Micheál Martin sought to strongly defend today was British Prime Minister Keir Starmer,” Cairns said.

“He made a point of attempting to firmly rebuff some of Trump’s attacks on him. However, when Trump mistakenly thought our own President was a man, Micheál Martin failed to correct the record.”

People Before Profit were even more critical, with Richard Boyd Barrett calling it “a thoroughly embarrassing performance” and accusing Martin of failing to challenge Trump.

“Micheál Martin once more proved that currying favour with Trump is more important to the Irish government than human rights or any semblance of an independent foreign policy,” Paul Murphy said.