Irish premier Simon Harris has defended referring to Donald Trump as an “awful gowl” in what he described as a “lighthearted” radio interview more than four years ago.
Mr Trump will be inaugurated for his second term as US president again later this month, following an election victory in late 2024. He was first elected in 2016.
His re-election bid in 2020 was unsuccessful, when he lost out to now outgoing President Joe Biden.
At that time, Mr Harris said he was willing to call Mr Trump an “awful gowl”, which is Irish slang for someone who is annoying or stupid.
Mr Harris made the remark during an October 2020 interview on the youth-orientated 2FM breakfast radio programme while he was minister for Further Education.
The host asked if he would be willing to commit to calling Mr Trump an “awful gowl” if he lost the 2020 election, which ultimately transpired days later.
While Mr Harris did not use the terminology himself, he replied: “I’ll do that now, if you wish.”
After the host described the comments at the end of the October 29 interview as “shots fired”, Mr Harris added: “Happy Halloween.”
Asked on Tuesday if he still believed Mr Trump was an awful gowl, Mr Harris said the interview had been referenced many times in the intervening years.
Taoiseach Simon Harris (Niall Carson/PA)
“I welcome the opportunity to comment on it. I think if anyone listens back to that clip, let’s describe it as a light-hearted radio programme.”
Mr Harris added that Mr Trump had now won the 2024 election and added: “It’s an Irish phrase, it was said in a lighthearted manner.”
Asked if he wanted to apologise to Mr Trump, he said he had a “great conversation” where he congratulated the president-elect following the US election.
“I think President Trump would very much understand the context of those lighthearted remarks.
“But let me be clear, they were asked in the context of if President Trump lost the election. President Trump won the election, clearly won the election, and now it’s about responding.”
There is an annual tradition of the Irish premier presenting the US President with a bowl of shamrock at the White House on St Patrick’s Day.
Mr Harris has not been Taoiseach on such an occasion and ongoing Government formation talks may lead to Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin returning to the office by the end of this month.
Mr Trump last visited Ireland in 2023, when he stayed at his golf course in Doonbeg.