Trump Explains Melania's Absence From Ireland Trip, Citing Long Flight

President Donald Trump publicly explained his wife Melania Trump's absence from his two-day state visit to Ireland by citing the long flight, while his aide Natalie Harp accompanied him on the trip. Speaking at the U.S. ambassador's residence in Dublin on Saturday, September 12, Trump told reporters his wife was with him "in spirit" and was watching from home. Trump recounted a lighthearted exchange about her decision not to travel. "I said, 'Well, why don't you come with me?' She said, 'Well, it's a seven-hour trip. Maybe I'm not that friendly,'" Trump said, drawing laughter from the audience. He added that he had urged her to "put on a Make America Great Again hat and come on," but she sent her regards instead. The president's comments came during a visit that included meetings with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin and Irish President Catherine Connolly. While Melania Trump remained in the United States, Natalie Harp, a longtime aide, was part of the delegation. A photograph from the visit showed Harp shaking hands with President Connolly.