Trump dodges question on Irish protests with bizarre 'compliment' to female reporter
U.S. President Donald Trump attends the Amgen Irish Open at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, Ireland, September 13, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper

President Donald Trump was asked Sunday about his thoughts on the mass protests in Dublin, Ireland against his visit, but ignored the question and instead issued the female reporter a bizarre “compliment.”

“Mr. President, did you see any footage of the protests against your visit here in Dublin, and what do you make of that opposition?” a female reporter can be heard asking Trump.

After a brief pause, Trump instead decided to compliment the female reporter on her looks.

“You know, you remind me of somebody… a great Irish singer who passed away recently. Do you know who that is?” Trump asked. “Sinéad! You look like Sinéad O'Connor! And that's a compliment! She sang beautifully.”

Trump’s visit to Ireland was met with opposition as locals flocked to the streets of Dublin with crude balloons and other anti-Trump displays to protest the president’s visit.

O’Connor, the famous Irish singer-songwriter whose songs touched on human and women’s rights issues, died in 2023 at the age of 56 from a chronic health condition. O’Connor had also publicly criticized Trump, calling him a “devil” in 2020.