Conor McGregor plans presidential bid after meeting Trump
Conor McGregor is a well-known mixed martial arts fighter from Ireland. He recently met with Donald Trump in the Oval Office to discuss issues concerning his country. Shortly after their conversation, he announced his intention to run for president of Ireland, outlining a key point of his campaign.
The meeting took place on the occasion of St. Patrick's Day. The two men have long admired each other, and the President of the USA referred to McGregor as his favorite Irishman, expressing appreciation for his unique tattoos.
Seemingly inspired by Trump's position, following their discussions, McGregor declared on Instagram that he also wants to become a leader. In Ireland, he plans to focus primarily on issues related to migration.
The former UFC champion believes the government isn't doing enough to address this problem. He warned that "Our government is the government of zero action with zero accountability."
Conor McGregor laid out an ambitious plan. He announced that Ireland must implement the European Union's migration plan by June 2026, while the presidential elections will be held in November this year. The 36-year-old asserts he is the only one with the courage to stand against the government's policy on this issue, specifically by refusing to sign the bill.
"Although I oppose greatly this pact, it is neither mine nor government’s choice to make. It is the people of Ireland’s choice! Always! This is the future of Ireland with me as President," he argued.
This announcement was met with mixed feelings on the island. Micheál Martin, leader of one of the largest parties, criticized it. A photo of Conor McGregor and Donald Trump shaking hands and smiling also sparked controversy due to McGregor's celebrity past.
Conor McGregor's controversial past
The award-winning mixed martial arts champion was convicted of sexual assault in 2024, stemming from an incident in 2018 at a hotel in Dublin. The victim, Nikita Hand, accused McGregor of misconduct. McGregor admitted to infidelity but claims the interaction was consensual.
The court found otherwise and ordered the Irishman to pay $262,000 to the plaintiff. Trump's friend also faced assault charges a few years ago for an incident in a Dublin pub.
