Ian Paisley has said Northern Ireland could “do well” under hte new Trump presidency as to attend the former DUP MP prepared to attend the inauguration of the 47th US President.
The ex-North Antrim representative is in Washington to see up close the beginning of Mr Trump’s second term in office.
Mr Paisley is among a select band of personal invitees attending the event, and posted a recent picture on social media of him with the President-elect’s son Don Jr.
Making reference to the prestigious Waldorf Astoria hotel, he told his followers he was looking for to renew his friendship with “with Don Jr”.
A stage erected as part of the celebrations that will follow the handover of power can be seen in the background.
Read more
Mr Paisley and his late father have forged long-established relationships with elements of the political establishment in the US.
During the White House St Patrick’s Day celebrations in 2017, Mr Paisley said he invited the golf-loving billionaire to the Open in Portrush, which was then three years away.
Trump never made it, although he described Royal Portrush as “a great, great course”.
Mr Paisley invited Mr Trump to Northern Ireland again in 2018.
The North Antrim MP told the BBC’s Evening Extra that Mr Trump “has indicated to me personally that it is his intention to visit”.
However, a visit failed to materialise.
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 18: Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump walks out to speak to reporters at the end of the day as jury selection continues at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 18, 2024 in New York City. Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records last year, which prosecutors say was an effort to hide a potential sex scandal, both before and after the 2016 presidential election. Trump is first former U.S. president to face trial on criminal charges. (Photo by Jabin Botsford – Pool/Getty Images)
Ian Jnr has been a vocal supporter of Trump and before his departure for the States he said his friend’s return to the White House presented a unique opportunity for Northern Ireland.
“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 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.
Village People
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 inauguration 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 joined Lee Greenwood and the Village People at the Make America Great Again Rally at Capital One Arena in Washington on Saturday night, along with a choir from Liberty University.