WEST CLARE hotelier Donald Trump is set for a return to the White House after his victory in the US Presidential election.
Four years after losing to Joe Biden in the 2020 Election, millions of Americans voted to give Trump a second chance in what has been described as one of the biggest comebacks in US political history.
It was a historic election campaign which saw Trump survive two assassination attempts and witnessed the withdrawal of his initial opponent President Biden in July, four months before election day.
Final votes are still being counted but the majority of Americans in key battlegrounds states voted for the Republican candidate Trump over sitting Vice President and Democrat candidate Kamala Harris. The economy and immigration were cited as chief concerns for those in such states that backed Trump.
Trump’s success was a topic of conversation in Doonbeg on Wednesday with American flags flying in the village.
Significant investment has been made by the Trump family in West Clare, they serve as one of the region’s main employers with over 305 jobs at peak season at Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Ireland in Doonbeg. The continued investment and supporting of local jobs has long been appreciated by the people of Doonbeg who do not necessarily agree with the policies of the seventy eight year old.
Donald stepped down as a director of the West Clare resort in January 2017 but his children, Ivanka, Eric and Donald Jr. are still listed as directors of TIGL Ireland Enterprises Ltd and TIGL Ireland Management Ltd, the companies behind Trump International Golf Links.
Tommy Tubridy of Tubridy’s Bar and Restaurant told The Clare Echo, “We’re delighted to have him back in as President, it will be good for the local economy and business. I met him the last time he was over, his son Eric was over here in July, he seems to be running the Resort and he is very happy with how things are going, he is asking how things are going with other businesses in the village. The golf course and the resort works very well with the businesses in Doonbeg”.
Tubridy returned to Doonbeg this week after a small break Stateside where he was on holidays as opposed to canavassing for Trump.. “I’ll be in business fifty years next year, I’ve seen business go from strength to strength since the golf course opened in Doonbeg”.
Hopes are high in Doonbeg that Trump will pay a visit to the village during his term as US President. “I’m hoping he’ll pay a visit and come to Doonbeg at some stage during the Presidency,” Tommy said.
Clare MEP, Michael McNamara (IND) said it was “a stunning electoral victory for President Trump. I conveyed my congratulations to him and his family this morning”.
General Election candidate, Michael Leahy (IFP) said he was happy to welcome Trump back to the White House and is taking inspiration from his success. “The fightback for liberty now moves to Ireland. Inspired by Trump’s return against all odds let’s dump the Irish left wing Uniparty”.
Addressing supporters in Florida on Wednesday, Trump said, “I want to thank the American people for the extraordinary honour of being elected your 47th president and your 45th president”. He added, “This is a magnificent victory for the American people that will allow us to make America great again”.
Trump will make history as the first sitting President to have been convicted of a felony after he was found guilty of falsifying business records. He also faces charges for allegedly inciting the violent attack on the US Capitol on January 6th 2021.
