Mícheál deliberately conflates legal immigration, people coming here to work, with the very different issue of illegal immigration and the asylum system crisis in Ireland. That is clearly what Trump was referring to. Mícheál knows this, but chose not to acknowledge it, likely because it is politically uncomfortable.
It was stomach churning to watch Mícheál defend his buddy Keir Starmer and also present Ireland’s handling of illegal immigration as being under control. That simply does not reflect reality. He appears out of touch, and Trump is well aware of it.
Later, Trump spoke about St Patrick, showing a stronger grasp of the historical context and even acknowledging that he had been enslaved, something our own president has failed to clearly articulate.
It could have been worse but I find Mícheál awkward and embarrassed looking in these really important engagements. He has no authority and looks out of his depth.