Richard Chambers, a journalist who’s always had a knack for digging deep into the stories that matter, is back on our screens with a new documentary called “Make Ireland Great Again.” But don’t let the title fool you into thinking it’s all about American politics. Richard’s film explores something far more personal and pressing for Ireland: the increasingly complicated relationship between the Emerald Isle and the United States, especially since Donald Trump’s return to the political arena. It all started for Richard during a St. Patrick’s Day trip to Washington and Philadelphia with Ireland’s Taoiseach (Prime Minister), observing firsthand the changing dynamics and the growing list of grievances from key Trump allies towards the Irish government. He’d been mulling over this shift for a long time, particularly how the Trump administration’s values seemed to be clashing more and more with Ireland’s own.
One of the most striking changes Richard observed is the evolution of what it means to be an “Irish American.” Historically, many might picture Irish American politicians as leaning towards more traditional, perhaps even liberal, viewpoints. However, Richard found that a significant number of today’s Irish American political figures are firmly entrenched in Donald Trump’s Republican camp. This isn’t just a political affiliation; it represents a fundamental shift in allegiances and perspectives that could profoundly impact Ireland. In his documentary, Richard introduces us to “very, very interesting voices,” many of whom, he highlights, are being heard in Ireland for the very first time. He explains that often, when discussions about US politics and Irish-US relations happen, we typically hear from Irish commentators or mainstream US voices. But his documentary brings unprecedented access to “very, very senior figures in Capitol Hill and in US foreign policy” who engage in “very, very in-depth discussions on Ireland.” These conversations, he suggests, are critical because they challenge the long-held assumption that the “great economic benefit we’ve derived from America over the years” is somehow guaranteed, prompting a sobering re-evaluation of this crucial partnership.
Richard’s inspiration for this documentary wasn’t an abstract idea; it was a visceral experience. He vividly recalls being at a Kamala Harris election night watch party, surrounded by hopeful supporters, only for the evening to culminate in the jarring realization that Trump had won again. That moment, filled with tension and uncertainty, ignited his drive to explore the underlying currents of this changing relationship. He’d always been fascinated by the broad spectrum of connections between the two nations, from past threats of tariffs to the influence of US tech giants like X and Grok on Irish society. For him, it wasn’t enough to simply observe the personalities of leaders like Micheál Martin and Donald Trump; he wanted to delve deeper into what these shifts truly mean for Irish society going forward. He felt there hadn’t been a sufficient examination of the tangible impacts, beyond the headlines, on everyday Irish life, and his documentary aims to fill that crucial gap, offering a more comprehensive understanding of the intricate web of influences at play.
Navigating the often-controversial topic of Donald Trump and his allies, Richard faced a unique set of challenges in getting people to open up. While he’d filmed other documentaries in the US with relative ease, this time was “a lot harder to get people to actually sign up and do it.” He attributes some of this difficulty to the war in Iran, which had just begun, creating a more volatile global landscape. Yet, for those who did agree to participate, he found them “all in” and eager to share their perspectives on Ireland. He recounts some truly “intense conversations,” particularly with John Bolton, Donald Trump’s former national security advisor, where there were significant disagreements, especially concerning Gaza. Richard admits that he often found himself disagreeing with many of the politicians he encountered. He describes the struggle of maintaining journalistic composure, explaining that as much as he might internally seethe at some “ridiculous” viewpoints, his role is to be a professional, to be “your viewer’s person in the room.” He imagines his audience “screaming” at the TV, wondering how anyone could believe what they’re hearing, and understands his job is to tease out these complex issues without ceding to his own emotional reactions or dismissing the speakers outright.
Richard’s approach to these difficult interviews offers a valuable lesson in journalism and human understanding, especially in our increasingly divided world. He emphasizes the importance of trying to “understand the reasons why people have their viewpoint,” even when those views are deeply unsettling. He cautions against retreating into “echo chambers” where we only hear what we want to hear, stressing that understanding diverse perspectives, even those we vehemently disagree with, is crucial. For him, throwing his hands up in an interview and yelling, “You are absolutely mad or what you’re saying is mad,” would not only be unprofessional but would also “stop the flow” of conversation, hindering the very goal of gaining insight. He advises younger journalists to “get more with honey than you do with vinegar,” meaning patience and persistent, respectful questioning are more effective than confrontation. This measured approach allows him to delve into the “why” behind the opinions, which he believes is “really, really important, particularly in a very divided age that we are in,” fostering a more nuanced understanding of complex geopolitical issues.
Despite the often-bleak news cycle, Richard surprisingly feels a resurgence of public engagement, rather than fatigue. He notes an “phenomenal” increase in news audiences on Virgin Media and a “huge resurgence in interest in journalism” on social media. He believes people are “tired of muck and misinformation and disinformation” and are actively seeking trusted sources to feel “empowered.” While acknowledging the “awful” things happening globally, he also highlights his personal effort to combat fatigue by sharing “good news stories from around the world” on Instagram, demonstrating that hope and positive developments also exist. He observes an “obsession” among people in Ireland with what happens in the US, viewing it as a “grand social soap opera,” and similarly high engagement with Irish and UK politics. Crucially, he points out that “young people in Ireland are so politically engaged,” which he sees as a significant “benefit.” His ultimate message is one of trust in journalism: people are increasingly turning to journalists who “can trust, journalists who will ask hard questions, journalists who won’t shirk away from us,” and he finds this trend incredibly rewarding.
Richard’s journey with “Make Ireland Great Again” began with filming in March, during a time when the world seemed to shift daily. He initially worried that the rapid pace of global events, especially with a figure like Trump, might make his documentary quickly outdated. However, he quickly realized that the issues he was exploring were not only pertinent but becoming even more so. The war in Iran rages on, Gaza remains a crisis, and the energy prices impacting Irish households due to these conflicts have only intensified. He’s observed how figures in the MAGA movement, like Steve Bannon, have tried to exploit fuel protests, demonstrating a desire for an “Irish Trump” and further solidifying the relevance of his film. Richard expresses strong confidence that the documentary’s themes — questions about Ireland’s reliance on the US, the trustworthiness of its often one-sided political pressure, and the long-term implications of these dynamics — will only “grow and grow in importance over time.” The documentary, airing on Virgin Media One on Wednesday, May 20th, isn’t just a snapshot of a moment in time; it’s a vital exploration of enduring questions that will shape Ireland’s future.