DOONBEG, Ireland — September 13, 2026 — President Donald J. Trump spoke with reporters at the first tee of Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Ireland in Doonbeg on Sunday, addressing a wide range of domestic and international issues including interest rates, a proposed $5,000 payment to American adults, Iran, Ukraine, China, artificial intelligence, Venezuela, Ireland and North Sea energy development.
The White House published the approximately 11-minute press exchange as an official presidential video.
Official White House video:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/videos/president-trump-gaggles-with-press-at-first-tee-box-doonbeg-sep-13-2026/
Key Facts
- Date: September 13, 2026
- Location: Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Ireland, Doonbeg, County Clare, Ireland
- Event: Informal press gaggle during the final round of the Irish Open
- Speaker: President Donald J. Trump
- Major subjects: Federal Reserve policy, a proposed $5,000 payment, Iran, Ukraine and Russian fuel infrastructure, China, artificial intelligence, Venezuela, Ireland, Israel and North Sea oil and wind energy
- Primary source: The White House official video
Federal Reserve and Interest Rates
Asked about Federal Reserve interest rates, Trump said he did not know what the central bank would do next but argued that the United States should have very low borrowing costs because of the country’s economic strength.
The comments represented the President’s policy view. Decisions concerning the federal funds rate are made by the Federal Open Market Committee rather than directly by the President.
Trump Discusses Proposed $5,000 Payment
Reporters also asked Trump about his proposal to provide $5,000 to adults in the United States.
Trump said the payment could be financed because, in his description, the federal government was receiving substantial revenue. He connected the proposal to the outcome of congressional elections and said he believed it could be implemented if Republicans maintained political control.
The comments were a presidential proposal made during the press exchange. Trump did not announce that Congress had enacted a new $5,000 payment program during the Doonbeg remarks.
Iran
Iran was another major subject.
Trump said Iran wanted to reach an agreement with the United States and repeated his position that Iran should not obtain a nuclear weapon. He also discussed the possibility of diplomatic contacts involving Gulf countries.
His remarks described the administration’s negotiating position and his expectations regarding the conflict. They should not be read as an announcement that a new agreement had already been reached.
Trump Says He Asked Zelenskyy to Avoid Russian Diesel Infrastructure
One of the most significant foreign-policy statements came when Trump discussed Ukraine.
The President said he had spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and asked him to stop striking Russian diesel-related infrastructure and refineries.
Trump argued that disruption of diesel supplies was affecting fuel availability internationally and said Ukraine could pursue other military targets instead.
The statement is notable because it provides a direct presidential account of what Trump said the United States had communicated to Zelenskyy concerning Ukrainian strikes inside Russia.
The White House video documents Trump’s statement; it does not independently establish the details of the private conversation with Zelenskyy or provide a Ukrainian account of that discussion.
Ireland and Possible Reunification
Trump was questioned about comments concerning the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
He said he had long admired Ireland and expressed his personal view that combining Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland appeared natural to him.
The future constitutional status of Northern Ireland is governed by political and legal arrangements involving voters in Northern Ireland and Ireland. Trump’s remarks therefore represented his personal political opinion rather than an announcement of a change in U.S., Irish or British law.
China and President Xi Jinping
Asked about his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping and whether he was concerned about a possible cancellation of an upcoming meeting, Trump said he was not worried and described his relationship with Xi positively.
Trump said the United States and China wanted to maintain a workable relationship while again criticizing what he described as China’s past economic treatment of the United States.
Artificial Intelligence: “Whoever Wins AI Wins”
Artificial intelligence produced one of the clearest policy themes of the exchange.
Trump said the United States was leading China in AI and argued that maintaining American leadership was strategically important.
He acknowledged that AI could have “guardrails” but cautioned against regulations or warnings that, in his view, could unnecessarily slow technological development.
The remarks place AI competition with China within the administration’s broader economic and national-security agenda.
Venezuela and Oil
Trump was also asked when democratic elections might take place in Venezuela.
He responded that elections should occur when Venezuela was ready and focused much of his answer on the country’s oil industry.
Trump said major oil companies were expanding activity there and described Venezuelan oil being transported to Houston for refining.
These comments reflected the President’s characterization of current U.S.-Venezuela economic and energy relations during the press exchange.
Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu
When asked whether he planned to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an election, Trump said he had not closely examined the race.
He did, however, describe his relationship with Netanyahu as very good.
No endorsement was announced during this exchange.
Wind Power and North Sea Oil
Toward the end of the gaggle, Trump returned to a subject he has discussed repeatedly: wind power and offshore oil development.
He criticized wind turbines and argued that the United Kingdom and Scotland should expand oil production in the North Sea.
Trump specifically pointed to Aberdeen’s historic role in the European energy industry and said increased North Sea drilling could generate significant economic benefits for the United Kingdom.
Those comments represented Trump’s policy position. No new U.S.-UK energy agreement was announced at the first-tee press event.
The Setting at Doonbeg
The press exchange occurred during the final round of the Irish Open at Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Ireland.
Before speaking with reporters, Trump watched golfers tee off and praised Irish golfer Shane Lowry’s performance.
The setting produced an unusual combination of a major international sporting event and an impromptu presidential press conference covering several of the most consequential issues facing the administration.
What Is Confirmed
The White House officially published the September 13 press gaggle from Doonbeg.
The recording confirms that Trump addressed:
- U.S. interest rates and Federal Reserve policy
- his proposed $5,000 payment
- Iran and nuclear negotiations
- Ukraine’s strikes against Russian diesel and refinery infrastructure
- Ireland and Northern Ireland
- relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping
- U.S.-China competition in artificial intelligence
- Venezuela and oil production
- Benjamin Netanyahu
- wind energy and North Sea oil development
Several statements made during the exchange were predictions, policy positions or descriptions by the President of private diplomatic conversations. Those statements should be attributed to Trump unless independently confirmed by the governments, agencies or officials involved.
Official Sources & Documents
The White House — President Trump Gaggles with Press at First Tee Box Doonbeg, September 13, 2026
Official video of the press exchange covered in this report.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/videos/president-trump-gaggles-with-press-at-first-tee-box-doonbeg-sep-13-2026/
The White House — Trump Dividend: America Is Winning — and Americans Should Win With It
Official White House release, September 10, 2026, describing President Trump’s proposal for a $5,000 payment to every adult U.S. citizen, contingent on Republican control of Congress.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/releases/2026/09/trump-dividend-america-is-winning-and-americans-should-win-with-it/
Federal Reserve — Federal Open Market Committee
Official Federal Reserve page explaining the FOMC, which determines U.S. monetary policy and the target range for the federal funds rate.
https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/fomc.htm
Federal Reserve — FOMC Statement, September 16, 2026
The Federal Reserve’s official monetary-policy decision following the meeting held September 15–16, 2026.
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/pressreleases/monetary20260916a.htm
AI.gov — America’s AI Action Plan
Official U.S. government AI policy portal outlining the administration’s strategy for maintaining American leadership in artificial intelligence, including international competition and AI infrastructure.
https://www.ai.gov/action-plan
The White House — National Security Presidential Memorandum on Artificial Intelligence
Official presidential memorandum establishing policy for accelerated adoption of advanced AI systems in the national-security enterprise.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/06/national-security-presidential-memorandum-nspm-11/
The White House — Promoting Advanced Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Security
Executive Order 14409, June 2, 2026, addressing American AI innovation, cybersecurity and national security.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/06/promoting-advanced-artificial-intelligence-innovation-and-security/
The White House — Venezuela Oil Agreement
Official White House release, September 2, 2026, describing the administration’s agreement involving Venezuelan oil reserves and U.S. interests.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/releases/2026/09/president-trump-secures-the-biggest-oil-deal-in-world-history/
UK Government — The Belfast Agreement / Good Friday Agreement
Official UK government publication containing the 1998 agreement governing Northern Ireland’s constitutional settlement, including the principle of consent.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-belfast-agreement
Government of Ireland — Good Friday Agreement
Official Irish government background on the Good Friday Agreement and the Northern Ireland peace process.
https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/policy-information/good-friday-agreement/
Government of Ireland — Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland
Official explanation of Northern Ireland’s constitutional status and the principle that any change requires the consent of a majority of its people.
https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-foreign-affairs/publications/protocol-on-irelandnorthern-ireland/
UK Government — North Sea Future Board
Official UK government information on current North Sea energy policy, including oil and gas workers, investment and offshore wind development.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-north-sea-board-launched-to-drive-a-fair-and-prosperous-transition
Source note: Statements describing private conversations or diplomatic contacts are attributed to President Trump unless separately confirmed by the relevant government or agency.
Midtown Tribune is publishing this report based primarily on the official White House video and distinguishes presidential statements and policy positions from independently established facts.
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