In what he called a “light-hearted” radio talk over four years ago, Taoiseach Simon Harris justified calling Donald Trump a “awful gowl,” reports The Mirror.
After winning the election in late 2024, Mr. Trump will be sworn in for his second term as US president later this month. 2016 saw his first election. In 2020, he ran unsuccessfully for reelection, losing to outgoing President Joe Biden.
Mr. Harris stated at the time that he was prepared to refer to Mr. Trump as a “awful gowl,” which is Irish slang for a person who is obnoxious or dim, reports The Mirror.
While serving as Minister for Further Education, Mr. Harris made the statement in an October 2020 interview with the youth-focused 2FM breakfast radio program.
In the event that Mr. Trump lost the 2020 election, which finally happened a few days later, the presenter enquired if he would be prepared to swear to call him a “awful gowl.” Mr. Harris said, “I’ll do that now, if you wish,” although he did not say the exact words, reports The Mirror.
“Happy Halloween,” Mr. Harris said after the presenter referred to the remarks made at the conclusion of the October 29 interview as “shots fired.”
When asked on Tuesday if he still thought Mr. Trump was a terrible gowl, Mr. Harris responded that the interview had been brought up several times over the years.
“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,” reports The Mirror.
When asked if he intended to apologise to Mr. Trump, he claimed that after the US election, he had a “great conversation” with the president-elect and congratulated him.
“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,” reports The Mirror.
In 2023, Mr. Trump made his most recent trip to Ireland, staying at his Doonbeg golf club.
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