Conor McGregor Receives an Unexpected Presidential Endorsement
Nearing the end of a storied career, or perhaps already past it, Conor McGregor has an unforeseen new title to add to his resume. However, this one is a bit more obscure than his UFC Championships. After a recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and Irish PM Micheal Martin, McGregor has earned the distinction of Donald Trump’s favourite Irishman.
The unusual compliment came when a reporter asked Donald Trump who his favourite Irish person was. Trump thought for a moment, then replied:
“There’s so many, are you kidding me? I do happen to like your fighter. He’s got the best tattoos I’ve ever seen. Conor’s great. You’ve got a lot of great Irish fighters, actually.”
McGregor Responds to Trump’s Praise
After the clip from Donald Trump’s Oval Office meeting with PM Martin received attention online, Conor McGregor responded via X:
McGregor Visits White House on St. Patrick’s Day
Doubling down on his fandom, President Trump hosted McGregor himself at the White House on St. Patrick’s Day. During the visit, Conor gave an impromptu address at the press room podium. He decried the Irish government, saying it was failing his people, most notably concerning immigration.
“I’m here to raise the issues the people of Ireland face. Our government has long since abandoned the voices of the people of Ireland. What is going on in Ireland is a travesty. Our government is the government of zero action with zero accountability.”
He then met with Donald Trump for a short talk and photo opportunity in the Oval Office.
Criticism for McGregor, Trump’s Surrounding Visit
While some analysts praised the fighter for his bold statements, many others took issue. Prime Minister Micheal Martin chimed in on the situation, saying, “He does not speak for the Irish people.” McGregor responded in a short interview as he departed from the meeting. Other Irish politicians also took offence, such as Social Democratic and Labor Party leader Colum Eastwood, who said, “We’re all pretty embarrassed of him.”
The backlash was predictable, given that Conor McGregor directly criticized his government in no uncertain terms. However, some opposed his visit even aside from the substance of his rhetoric. Many objected to Trump inviting Conor at all, given his history of problematic misconduct, most notably his civil conviction for rape in November of last year.
Dublin West TD Ruth Coppinger did not mince words: “Two rapists met each other in the White House.” Social workers at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre also condemned the meeting, calling it “very sinister.”
An Unlikely Alliance
This is not the first time Conor McGregor has been associated with President Donald Trump. Trump has been a frequent fixture at UFC events in recent years and is a longtime fan of MMA. UFC President Dana White returned that support last year by endorsing his re-election campaign. McGregor himself attended Trump’s inauguration ceremony in January.
Over the years, Conor McGregor has had a gradual shift in his opinion on the polarizing US figurehead. In 2016, when Trump was simply a Republican nominee in the presidential race, Conor said quite bluntly that he didn’t “give a f*** about Donald Trump” and that he could “shut his big fat mouth” after the future President criticized Ronda Rousey.
However, as McGregor has become less dialled in on his fighting career, he has seemingly become more interested in politics. As his political views emerged over time, it became apparent that he and Trump had a lot of ideological overlap. The former two-weight UFC Champion has suggested he may mount a 2025 Presidential run in Ireland, and perhaps his political aspirations are part of his increased willingness to engage with Trump, a globally influential right-wing figure. The potential campaign has also been endorsed by Trump’s advisor in the Department of Government Efficiency, Elon Musk. Notwithstanding McGregor’s foray into politics, though, there is perhaps some genuine mutual admiration. As far back as 2020, Conor hailed Donald Trump as one of the greatest American Presidents of all time.
A New Career Path for Conor McGregor?
Conor McGregor is the biggest global star in mixed martial arts, and millions of fans worldwide are eager for him to return to combat. However, he hasn’t competed professionally in four years, taking an extended layoff after suffering back-to-back defeats to Dustin Poirier in 2021. The second fight ended with an atrociously severe leg injury, conjuring shades of Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman. Extended time off was fully expected. Nevertheless, fans have grown a bit impatient, especially after a scheduled bout with Michael Chandler in June of last year was scrapped due to an unrelated injury. There has been speculation, even from Dana White himself, as to whether we will realistically ever see McGregor in the octagon again.
At 36 years old, a transition into a different occupation would make sense for McGregor. He cemented his legacy eternally with a legendary run that saw him rocket from prospect, to champion, to double-champion, to household celebrity. If he does decide to answer the call of public service, he’ll no doubt benefit from having some powerful allies across the pond.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
