'What's with these..': Vance's socks distract Trump during Oval meeting
What's the story
United States President Donald Trump became sidetracked by JD Vance's shamrock-patterned socks during a meeting with the Irish prime minister on Wednesday at the Oval Office. "I have to just speak of inflation," Trump told reporters as he suddenly stopped mid-sentence to comment on the VP's socks. "I love your socks," he told Vance and asked, "What's with these socks?"
Sock story
Vance's socks were a nod to Irish PM
Vance then explained that the fashion choice was in honor of the Irish prime minister. Earlier in the day, Vance had said he wasn't sure if Trump would like his quirky sock choice, since he prefers more traditional styles. Vance had worn white socks with green shamrocks on them as a subtle nod to his Irish visitors and the approaching St. Patrick's Day. Trump did not return to the topic of inflation after being sidetracked by Vance's socks.
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Trade imbalances between the two countries
However, he commented on the trade imbalances between the two countries, saying Ireland took advantage of the US by lowering its corporate tax rates in the early 2000s. That has reportedly driven over 1,000 American businesses to move across the Atlantic since then. Talking to Micheál Martin, Trump said he respects what Ireland had done, but past US leaders had failed. "We had stupid leaders, we had leaders who didn't have a clue," he said.