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U.S. President Donald Trump turned his focus to golf and promoting his business interests on Sept. 13 as he wrapped up a two-day visit to Ireland.
His off-the-cuff diplomacy caused another stir during the trip.
The U.S. leader caught his Irish hosts and the neighboring U.K. off-guard on Sept. 12.
He waded into highly sensitive political territory, announcing he would love to see a united Ireland.
Breaking with Washington's traditional neutrality on the historically charged topic, Trump argued reunification of the Republic of Ireland and U.K. territory Northern Ireland was going to happen eventually.
It may as well happen now, he said during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin in Dublin.
The comments prompted pushback from pro-U.K. loyalists in Northern Ireland and some leading politicians in mainland Britain.
London remains really serious about the Good Friday Agreement, U.K. minister Angela Rayner told Sky News on Sept. 13.
The 1998 peace accords largely ended three decades of sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland.
The agreement stipulates a referendum on Irish unity can occur if the U.K. government determines a majority is likely in favor.
Republic of Ireland voters would also need to back the move in a separate poll.
Trump touched down in Doonbeg on the country's west coast shortly after his surprise intervention.
His Trump Organization-owned golf course is hosting the Irish Open there.
The American leader will attend the tournament before departing for Washington later in the day.
Doonbeg's 784 residents are very grateful for the Trump Organization's investment since buying the site in 2014, Martin assured him at their Sept. 12 meeting.
The U.S. president is joined by his two sons, Eric and Don Jr.
The brothers have managed the family business since their 80-year-old father returned to the White House last year.
Some 40,000 fans are expected at the tournament over the weekend.
Trump's attendance adds an extra layer of complexity to a security effort reportedly costing Ireland 20 million euros.
Around 4,000 Irish and U.S. security personnel were expected to be involved in the weekend-long security operation.
Opposition Democrats in the U.S. have long complained about blurring the lines between his presidency and personal business interests.
The White House aggressively pushed back against claims of conflicts of interest.
