Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Dublin Live
Dublin Live
National
Emma Nevin

RTE Late Late Show viewers react to 'genius' and 'lovely' President Michael D Higgins interview

President Michael D Higgins was described as "passionate" and "witty" after tonight's Late Late Show interview.

On tonight's show, President Higgins sat down with Ryan and discussed having Covid, the housing crisis and football.

Tubs also brought up the President's comments about Elon Musk's bid to purchase Twitter earlier this month.

Read more: How to watch the Normal People series ahead of Conversations with Friends

Speaking at a conference, President Higgins did not mention Musk by name but spoke about how "someone announces they are able to buy Twitter".

He said: "A multi-billionaire would be now deciding what it's appropriate for people to exchange in public discourse.

"I think it can hardly be described as anything other than a manifestation of an incredibly dangerous narcissism."

Tubridy asked the President if he was "referring to Mr Musk" during tonight's show.

President Higgins replied: "It doesn't matter who I was referring to. At my age and all the rest of it, with newspapers you had a kind of code and understanding as to what is legitimate comment and if that was breached how it could be handled.

"Then you get the development of social media and so on. Why would you say, why would anyone say that those who can concentrate the greatest ownership should be the people who decide how people should deal with each other in communication.

"It is such an absurd form of dictatorship in a way. So if you're going to decide to have responsible communication, why would you decide to look for the richest person of the group and hand them the authority for it.

"It seems absurd to me."

Viewers were quick to take to Twitter to react to the President's interview.

One said: "Michael D is a genius. Most of what he says I don’t understand fully. But he is never patronising or condescending dispensing his wisdom. Always entertaining."

Another wrote: "Can we just make Michael D President for life, he represents the island of Ireland so amazingly well"

A third said: "Michael D is so lovely, knowledgeable and speaks so elegantly."

Read more: Dublin coffee shops training homeless people to become baristas

Read More: National GP shortage sees people unable to get blood tests or sick notes

Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.