Connor McGregor Says He’ll Run For President In Ireland After Meeting Trump

Conor McGregor has declared his intention to run for Ireland’s presidency, making the announcement just days after a widely publicized visit to the White House.

The MMA star—who was previously involved in a civil case in Dublin last November over allegations of rape—shared his political aspirations in an Instagram post. In the image, he stands in front of a private jet wearing a cap emblazoned with the slogan “Make Ireland Great Again.”

McGregor’s decision to enter the political arena comes on the heels of his recent condemnation of what he termed an “illegal immigration racket ravaging our country” during his White House appearance.

“Ireland must fully implement the EU Migration Pact by June 12, 2026,” he wrote on Instagram. “So between now and 12 June 2026, several pieces of legislation have to be passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas & then signed by the President. The next presidential election must take place by 11 Nov 2025. Who else will stand up to Government and oppose this bill?

“Any other Presidential candidate they attempt to put forward will be of no resistance to them. I will!” he added. “For clarity also, as President, I would put forth this bill to referendum. Although I oppose greatly this pact, it is neither mine nor governments choice to make. It is the people of Irelands choice! Always! That is a true democracy!”

On X, the former MMA champion urged voters, saying: “Ireland, the choice is yours and it is an easy one. Vote for me as your President and we will SAVE IRELAND TOGETHER!”

Ahead of a press conference with Trump on Monday, McGregor warned that Ireland risked “potentially losing its Irishness” and criticized the government, describing it as an administration defined by “zero action with zero accountability.”

“Our money is being spent on overseas issues that is nothing to do with the Irish people,” he asserted.

McGregor’s invitation to the White House followed Trump’s recent comment in which he named the fighter among his favorite Irish individuals. When the two met, McGregor commended Trump’s “work ethic” as “inspiring.”

They posed for photos in the Oval Office, shaking hands and exchanging friendly remarks in front of a map humorously mislabeling the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”

Before their meeting, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated in a briefing: “We couldn’t think of a better guest to have with us on St Patrick’s Day.”

However, McGregor’s visit to Washington, D.C. drew criticism from Irish officials. Taoiseach Micheál Martin remarked that the fighter’s statements “did not reflect the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day or the views of the Irish people.” On X, he added that the holiday represents “a day rooted in community, humanity, friendship and fellowship.”

Simon Harris, Ireland’s deputy prime minister, also addressed McGregor’s appearance in the U.S. In a social media video recorded during his trip to New York, Harris stated: “‘It’s for President Trump to decide to invite whoever he wants to his home and he’s perfectly entitled to do whatever he wishes in relation to who he decides to invite to the White House. But let me be very clear: Conor McGregor is not here in the United States representing Ireland or the people of Ireland. He’s here in a personal capacity. He doesn’t speak for Ireland. He doesn’t speak for the people of Ireland. He has no mandate to do such and my views on him are very clear.”

Ireland’s president, Michael D. Higgins, has been in office since his election in 2011 and subsequent re-election in 2018. However, the real political authority in the country is vested in the Taoiseach, who is chosen by the Dáil, Ireland’s lower house of parliament.