Sir, – Donald Trump’s inhuman and divisive policies are having a profound impact, not only in the United States but around the world.
The dismantling of USAid and sweeping cuts to foreign assistance have placed millions of people living in poverty and conflict at greater risk. They have had a devastating human impact, with fewer health services, less humanitarian assistance and diminished support for communities already struggling to survive.
Women’s rights are particularly affected. A 2025 UN study showed that an estimated $78 billion in global aid cuts is forcing women’s rights organisations to reduce or close life-saving services, halt prevention and empowerment programmes, and curtail advocacy work.
Trump’s administration has also restricted international funding for organisations working on sexual and reproductive health and rights. All of this puts decades of progress on gender equality at risk.
Trump’s record on climate change has been abysmal. Shockingly, he has said climate change is “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world”. He has withdrawn the United States from the Paris Agreement, promoted fossil fuel expansion and undermined the international co-operation urgently needed to address a crisis to which people who have contributed least are suffering most.
It is countries such as Nepal, crippled by the impact of global inaction, that will pay the price for these dangerous views.
His disregard for the lives and dignity of the people of Palestine and his support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza and the terrorising of civilians in the West Bank demonstrate a profound contempt for international law, human rights and the fundamental principle that every human life has equal value.
Trump’s administration has pursued mass deportations in the US, restricted asylum and rolled back protections for trans people. The consistent pattern is one of targeting those with the least power.
ActionAid Ireland will be joining the No Welcome for Trump protest on Saturday at the Garden of Remembrance, Dublin. We invite you to join us. – Yours, etc,
KAROL BALFE,
Chief executive, ActionAid Ireland,
Dublin 2.
Sir, – While President Catherine Connolly finds herself obliged to meet and “greet” Donald Trump on his courtesy visit to the Áras this weekend, it would be wrong for the Irish nation to extend a céad míle fáilte to this most inhumane, dishonest and egotistical US president.
We must raise the placards and let the wider world know that we have no truck with Trump, or anything in his hold. Let him enjoy the golf in Doonbeg and then be off. Good riddance! – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL CULLEN,
Sandycove,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – US president Donald Trump’s offer to give a $5,000 “dividend” to every adult citizen if Republicans win the US House and Senate in November’s midterm elections raises deep philosophical questions.
German philosopher Immanuel Kant said that “everything has either a price or a dignity”, meaning that human beings have an intrinsic moral integrity that cannot be bought or sold. The November midterm elections will reveal a great deal about the dignity of the US electorate.
The same applies to those willing to roll out the red carpet for Trump this weekend, in Doonbeg or Dublin. – Yours, etc,
Prof VITTORIO BUFACCHI
Department of Philosophy,
University College Cork.