Trump uses political publicity by personally awarding trophy at Irish golf tournament

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Dae-Woon Cha = U.S. President Donald Trump personally presented a trophy to the winner of the Irish Open held at his own golf course in Ireland on the 13th (local time), using the large sports stage as a political promotional opportunity to make himself stand out.

According to the AFP and EFE news agencies, President Trump, who appeared wearing a hat with the word 'USA' engraved on it, personally gave the trophy to winner Shane Lowry at the 'Trump International Golf Links' in the Doonbeg area on the west coast of Ireland and took a commemorative photo with him.

President Trump visited Ireland with the main purpose of attending the Irish Open, a large sporting event held at his golf resort. The trophy award, under the spotlight of the media, can be said to have been the highlight of President Trump's journey.

There was early controversy surrounding his trip to Ireland for his pursuit of private interests.

Above all, it is pointed out that President Trump tried to use this tournament as a golden opportunity to promote his golf course to the world on a large scale.

In particular, during his award ceremony speech that day, he made a surprise announcement that he would abolish tariffs on Irish whiskey imported into the U.S., drawing cheers and applause from the audience.

Previously, the Trump Group purchased the golf course and hotel here, which was undergoing bankruptcy proceedings, at a relatively low price of $17 million (approximately 23 billion won) in 2014, and has been operating it under the name 'Trump International Golf Links'.

It is not a golf course with a long history, so hosting a large golf tournament like this and marketing it with President Trump personally appearing on the mound can greatly increase the awareness of this place.

Eldest son Donald Trump Jr. and second son Eric Trump, who manage various businesses of the Trump family on behalf of their father, also attended the awards ceremony.

For this reason, criticism arose that President Trump was blurring the line between public affairs and private business during his visit to Ireland.

Large-scale protests against President Trump also continued in the Irish capital Dublin and Doonbeg.

In Dublin, on the 12th, more than 10,000 demonstrators gathered and marched through the streets under the slogan 'Trump Not Welcome' and held a peaceful anti-Trump protest, including opposing the US war on Iran.

President Trump stayed briefly in Dublin and met with Irish leaders, including President Catherine Connolly and Prime Minister Michal Martin, before moving to Doonbeg by Marine One helicopter.

The Irish government carried out Operation 'Far Dawn', the largest security operation in history, deploying over 4,000 military and police personnel along the route, including Dublin and Doonbeg, to prepare for any emergency during President Trump's visit.