Former Irish President Criticizes ‘Outrageous’ Rhetoric as Trump’s Iran Comments Stir Debate

Former Irish President Michael D Higgins took a dig at Donald Trump over the latter’s threats and actions against Iran. Higgins reportedly left office in November 2025 and was replaced by Catherine Connolly. Connoly has also been critical of Trump’s actions in the past.

According to the Irish Star, On April 7, 2026, at the INTO Congress in Killarney, Co. Kerry, Higgins addressed delegates, discussing the U.S.-Iran ceasefire deal. Without naming Trump, Higgins criticized the President's actions toward Iran, stating, “As I waited this morning, I was very anxious about what has been unleashed in the world.”

​He added, “Whatever respite we have from the most outrageous of language and suggestions, it's good to be with trade unionists." He also addressed the broader outcome of the war and the global conflicts that it creates.

In contrast to Donald Trump’s right-wing political ideology, Michael D. Higgins is known for his left-leaning views. He has repeatedly been vocal against war and international conflicts and has also expressed support for Palestinians, and has strongly condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza.

​Earlier, in a February 2026 interview, Higgins had also accused the U.S. of being allegedly against Ireland. He further alleged that individuals are labelled as anti-semitic if they criticize Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies, which he called a “disgrace and a slander.”

Taking a jibe at Trump, Higgins told reporters, “The idea that a propaganda campaign is active against Ireland in the United States, so that when we are seeking to have meetings with people who are, for example, interested in investing in Ireland, they are being contacted in advance with a suggestion by saying, You must open by asking, why is Ireland so against the United States position on Israel?”

​He added, “We are among the best-informed people, thanks to all those families who sent their soldiers, daughters, and sons on peacekeeping to Lebanon and elsewhere. And I salute them because when they come back, they tell the truth of what was their experience.”

His INTO Congress speech seemed to be a reference to Trump’s chilling threat to Iran on social media. On the occasion of Easter, April 5, 2026, the President demanded that Iran open the Strait of Hormuz by Tuesday.

​The POTUS wrote, “or [Iran will] be living in Hell — JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.” On Tuesday morning, as his deadline neared, he escalated his rhetoric to Iran.

Donald Trump stated, “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen, but it probably will. However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalized minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS?"

​However, he hailed the two-week ceasefire deal with Iran as a “total and complete victory” for the U.S. However, Netanyahu’s office clarified that the deal does not include Lebanon. As a result, Israel has bombed a series of locations across Lebanon, including the capital, Beirut.