Albasheer Adam Alhassan, a Nigerian Banker, wrote the poem when he was in college and posted it online over 10 years ago. Trump said "As we stand together with our Irish friends I''m reminded of that proverb...and this is a good one, this is one I like. I've heard it for many many years and I love it".
"Always remember to forget the friends that proved untrue
But never forget to remember those that have stuck by you"
Alhassan learned about it from his sister and he was surprised. I wonder if The Donald will be surprised to learn the real origin and apologize to Albasheer Adam Alhassan for not attributing it to him? I wonder.
The poem is mentioned on various websites as an Irish proverb, such as Pinterest boards, Imgur galleries and a website called "DecentQuotes.com."
It is also featured on a page of ‘St Patrick’s Day blessings’, which also includes such "Irish" phrases as “Dance as if no one were watching”.
Speaking after Mr Trump at the luncheon, where the president had called him a "new friend", Mr Kenny joked: "They say the Irish have the capacity to change everything. I just saw the president of the United States read from his script ... entirely."
Maybe that's why he thought it was Irish.