President Donald Trump called mail-in voting “corrupt as hell” during the March 17, 2026 Shamrock Bowl presentation with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, spotlighting the SAVE America Act as the Senate began debate.
He urged adding voter ID, proof of citizenship, restricted mail-in ballots, no men in women’s sports, and no transgender surgeries for children, polling at 98-99%. Senate Republicans advanced the bill 51-48, forcing Democrats to go on record against popular reforms. Republicans aim to highlight Democratic opposition ahead of the 2026 midterms and Trump’s threat to block bills.
In any case, the president began, saying, “The biggest thing coming up is the SAVE America Act in the Senate. That’s, uh, voter ID and proof of citizenship and no mail-in ballots, you know, corrupt mail-in ballots were the only country in the world that does it that way.”
He also described the current system as, “Corrupt as hell, and then we added two more, we’re going to be — I think they’re going to be adding a couple of more. One is no men in women’s sports, that seems like an easy one. I believe that’s 99 percent and no transgender utilization of our children. None. That’s only polling at 98 percent, Speaker. So hopefully the Senate is going to be able to get that.”
“You can’t ask for five better things. I think in terms of, uh, and it’s not politics, it’s really good for — it’s so good for our nation. I mean, who would not have voter ID who would not have a proof of citizenship, …the only people who would want not to have that are people that want to cheat. It’s very, very simple,” Trump explained, “We can’t let that happen.”
Turning to the dignitaries, the president declared, “Some 1,600 years ago, the man who would become the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick. Have you ever heard of Saint Patrick? Voluntarily returned to Ireland after having escaped enslavement there and then spent 30 years carrying the Christian gospel.”
Additionally, he said, “Because of Patrick, Ireland is now known as the land of saints and scholars for thousands of years,” President Trump continued, “Christians everywhere have honored Saint Patrick and the legacy of March 17th.”
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“Today we remember his incredible deeds as we celebrate our cherished Irish American heritage and it’s a great heritage at that. From the very beginning, America has thrived and prospered and prevailed with the help of incredible people,” the speech continued.
Winding down his comments, Trump asserted, “The achievements are amazing. The amazing Irish American patriots and many of you are in the room. You know, these are very successful people in the room. I know a lot of them; they have a lot of cash.” At this point, the crowd erupted into laughter.
Concluding his remarks, the president added, “The Irish came with William Penn to settle in Pennsylvania. They traveled with Daniel Boone, the great Daniel Boone to tame Kentucky and, uh, they — in 1776 was a man from Cork — Cork fighting in the Continental Army who became the first person ever known as the phrase the United States — the came up with the phrase The United States of America, that’s a pretty good phrase.