Trump Pauses Meeting with Irish Prime Minister When He Notices JD Vance's Socks: 'I'm Trying to Stay Focused, But ...'

A glimpse of the lively and unconventional diplomacy of the Trump administration was on full display Wednesday, just like Vice President J.D. Vance’s shamrock-adorned socks.

Vance’s choice of festive footwear coincided with the visit of Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin to Washington.

“I love these socks,” President Donald Trump remarked to Vance during a public portion of their Oval Office meeting with Martin, as seen in a video shared on X.

“What’s with these socks? I’m trying to stay focused, but I’m gonna ask for the VP’s socks,” Trump said.

Earlier, Vance hosted a breakfast at his official residence for Martin and several dignitaries, where he elaborated on his wardrobe selection, as noted in a post on X.

Vance shared that throughout his career, he had learned about “sock diplomacy, about the importance of gifting socks to my fellow senators. You know, I give Massachusetts socks to our friends from Massachusetts and Utah socks to our friends from Utah.”

Turning to Martin, he said, “In your honor I have worn these shamrocks,” while showing off his socks.

“I will say when we meet later in the Oval Office,” he continued, “the president is a very big fan of conservative dress.”

Addressing his guest, Vance added, “If he notices socks, you have to defend me in the Oval Office and say this is an important part of cementing the Irish-American relationship, and that’s the only reason I’m wearing these socks.”

Vance highlighted the socks as a symbol of the deep connection between the United States and Ireland, as reported by the Independent.

“One of the things we try to do with this breakfast is just remind people of the important bonds of friendship between the United States and Ireland,” he said.

During his remarks, Martin emphasized the enduring partnership between the two nations.

“Nowhere is the strength of the U.S.-Irish relationship more in evidence than in our own peace process,” Martin stated.

“Forty-four years ago, President Reagan called for a just and peaceful solution to the conflict that has for so long devastated lives on our island. Politicians from both sides of the aisle rose to the occasion, and the lasting peace we enjoy today on our island is a signature achievement of U.S. foreign policy.

“This story of peace is one that we both wrote together. We know that building peace is a difficult and painstaking task, and we are ready to play our part in supporting work to end conflict and to secure peace in Ukraine or in the Middle East or wherever,” he continued.

“We welcome very much the unrelenting focus and effort that President Trump and his administration has brought to this task from his very first days in office, and we welcome the progress that is clearly being made.

“The United States has been a steadfast friend of Ireland for centuries. Indeed, the United States was the first country to recognize our long-sought independence.”