McGregor Meets Trump on St Patrick’s Day
Conor McGregor visited the White House for a St Patrick’s Day meeting with US President Donald Trump. The former UFC champion said he planned to voice concerns about Ireland’s immigration policies during his visit.
McGregor praised Trump’s work ethic as “inspiring” while meeting him in the Oval Office. Trump returned the compliment, describing McGregor as “fantastic.”
Figure 1: Conor McGregor with US President Donald Trump
The MMA fighter attended Trump’s inauguration in January and has been vocal about his support for the US president. Last week, during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, Trump praised McGregor’s tattoos.
Irish Leaders Distance Themselves from McGregor
Irish political leaders criticised McGregor’s remarks and distanced themselves from his statements on immigration.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin stated that McGregor’s comments were “wrong” and did not reflect the spirit of St Patrick’s Day. He emphasised that the celebration was about “community, humanity, friendship and fellowship.”
Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris made it clear that McGregor was not representing Ireland. “He doesn’t speak for Ireland. He doesn’t speak for the people of Ireland. He has no mandate to do such,” Harris said.
Social Democratic and Labour Party assembly member Matthew O’Toole described McGregor’s visit as an “insult to the island of Ireland” and “deeply depressing.”
McGregor’s Comments on Immigration
McGregor accused the Irish government of “abandoning” the voices of the people. He claimed that Ireland was “on the cusp of losing its Irishness.”
He criticised Ireland’s immigration policies and described the situation as an “illegal immigration racket” that was “running ravage on the country.”
Speaking in the White House press briefing room, McGregor said, “There are rural towns in Ireland that have been overrun in one swoop.”
McGregor indicated that he wanted to discuss these concerns with Trump. He said he would be “listening” to the US president on immigration, one of Trump’s key political issues.
“It’s high time America was made aware of what’s going on in Ireland.”
The Irish government has destroyed Ireland through immigration and friendly media coverage has enabled it.
Conor McGregor just told the whole world what’s going on here.
👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/i7hr1djJFN
— MichaeloKeeffe (@Mick_O_Keeffe) March 17, 2025
Irish Government Responds to Immigration Concerns
Immigration has been a major political issue in Ireland. Many new arrivals have been entering Northern Ireland by ferry or plane and crossing into the Republic of Ireland.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan recently promised stricter enforcement of immigration laws. He stated that more than 80% of asylum applications in January were rejected in the first instance.
O’Callaghan said Ireland needed to ensure that only those entitled to international protection were allowed to stay. He emphasised that the government remained committed to managing migration fairly and responsibly.
McGregor’s Legal Troubles
McGregor’s visit came amid ongoing legal issues. In 2024, a woman who accused him of sexual assault won a civil case against him in Dublin.
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A jury found that McGregor had assaulted the woman and ordered him to pay more than €248,000 (£206,000) in damages. He has appealed the verdict, with a hearing scheduled in Dublin’s High Court later this week.
McGregor denied wrongdoing and claimed the encounter was consensual.
McGregor’s Political Aspirations
McGregor has suggested he may run for president of Ireland Conor later this year. Some believed the civil trial verdict would prevent his candidacy.
Despite the controversy, McGregor has received support from figures like influencer Andrew Tate and anti-immigration campaigners in Ireland. His statements have gained further traction through Elon Musk’s social media posts.
McGregor has not yet confirmed if he will formally enter the race. His recent political statements suggest he is positioning himself as a populist candidate focused on national identity and immigration concerns.
Conor in his latest X Post:
🇮🇪 🤝 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/jD71Fx3R5u
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 17, 2025
Musk and McGregor Meet in the Oval Office
During his White House visit, McGregor was Conor pictured alongside billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. Musk is a close ally of Trump and has supported efforts to reduce the size of the US federal government.
Figure 2: Conor McGregor alongside Elon Musk at The White House
McGregor’s political statements and White House appearance have added to Ireland’s ongoing debate over immigration. Irish leaders have continued to reject his claims, maintaining that he does not represent the country.
