Ian Paisley is set to attend the inauguration of Donald Trump on Monday on the official guest list of the President Elect.
Speaking to BBC NI and confirming his attendance as he flew out to Washington, the former MP, who lost his seat at the last election, said Northern Ireland can “do well” while he is president.
“There will be lots of positive business opportunities and Northern Ireland is in a good place to take full advantage,” he said.
“A lot of people have a lot of views about Donald Trump but collectively Northern Ireland can do well during his time in the White House.
“When he spoke at that [St Patrick’s Day] reception he looked around the room and made a point of saying it was great to celebrate Ireland and Northern Ireland.
“Apart from George Bush he was the only president to make that pointed reference.”
Mr Paisley has previously described himself and Mr Trump as “good friends” and was famously pictured posing in a photograph with other DUP politicians while holding a flag supporting Trump’s 2020 re-election bid.
The inauguration in Washington DC next week will see Mr Trump begin his second term in office.
Alongside figures in politics, a host of big-name performers including Billy Ray Cyrus, Kid Rock and country singer Jason Aldean will all perform at various events over the weekend.
The Trump Vance Inaugural Committee unveiled most of the line-up on Wednesday.
Kid Rock, a long-time Trump supporter, and Billy Ray Cyrus will join Lee Greenwood and The Village People at the Make America Great Again Rally at Capital One Arena in Washington on Sunday, along with a choir from Liberty University.
“The pageantry is wonderful. I’m excited about all of that,” Greenwood told The Associated Press.
“I’m excited to sing yet again for President of the United States and particularly my friend Donald J Trump.”
Aldean, a five-time Grammy nominee behind the controversial song Try That In A Small Town, is set to perform at The Liberty Ball on Monday night, alongside The Village People and a “surprise musical guest”.
The swearing-in ceremony on Monday will feature previously announced performers Carrie Underwood, who is singing America The Beautiful, opera tenor Christopher Maccio performing the National Anthem and Greenwood. Three inaugural balls will follow.
“I love our country and am honoured to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event,” Underwood said in a statement earlier this week.