US President Donald Trump sparked a fresh wave of mockery and health concerns on Tuesday when he referred to Ireland's female president, Catherine Connolly, as 'he' during a White House meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin to mark St Patrick's Day. The slip-up, captured on video amid tense talk of Iran, has critics branding Trump 'Dementia Don' once more, questioning if it's mere carelessness or something deeper.
Connolly, the 68-year-old former barrister and psychologist, swept to victory in Ireland's presidential election last October with 63 per cent of first preferences. She was inaugurated in November 2025 at Dublin Castle, succeeding Michael D Higgins as an independent left-winger who pledged emphasis on peace, neutrality, climate action and Irish unity in a largely ceremonial yet morally potent role. Trump's blunder arose when Martin cited Connolly's recent criticism of his 'war in Iran,' prompting the president to snap back without realising or recalling her gender.
