Conor McGregor has revealed his intention to run for President of Ireland, shortly after a highly publicized visit to the White House.
The MMA fighter, who was recently involved in a civil case where he was found guilty of raping a woman in Dublin in November, shared his presidential plans via an Instagram post. In the photo, he stands in front of a private jet wearing a “Make Ireland Great Again” cap.
This announcement follows McGregor’s comments at the White House, where he criticized what he described as an “illegal immigration racket ravaging our country.”
On Instagram, McGregor stated: “Ireland must fully implement the EU Migration Pact by June 12, 2026.
“Between now and June 12, 2026, several pieces of legislation must be passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas and signed by the President.
“The next presidential election must be held by November 11, 2025. Who else will stand up to the Government and oppose this bill?
“Any other presidential candidate they put forward will offer no resistance. I will!
“For clarity, as President, I would bring this bill to a referendum.”
Conor McGregor has revealed his intention to run for President of Ireland, just days after a contentious visit to the White House.
McGregor shared his plans in an Instagram post, where he stands in front of a private jet wearing a “Make Ireland Great Again” cap.
The announcement comes just days after McGregor criticized an “illegal immigration racket ravaging our country” during his visit to the White House.
“Although I strongly oppose this pact, it is neither my decision nor the government’s to make. It is the people of Ireland’s choice! Always! That is true democracy!”
Earlier today, McGregor posted on X: “Ireland, the choice is yours, and it’s an easy one. Vote for me as your President, and together we will SAVE IRELAND!”
On Monday, ahead of a press conference with Donald Trump, McGregor told an audience that Ireland was on the brink of “potentially losing its Irishness,” criticizing the Irish government as an administration of “zero action with zero accountability.”
“Our money is being spent on overseas issues that have nothing to do with the Irish people,” he added.
McGregor’s invitation to the White House followed Donald Trump naming him one of his favorite Irish people last week.
During their meeting on Monday, McGregor praised Trump’s “inspiring” work ethic. The pair posed for photos, shaking hands, and exchanged light remarks in front of a map of the Gulf of Mexico, which was labeled as the Gulf of America, in the Oval Office.
Ahead of the meeting, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in the briefing room: “We couldn’t think of a better guest to have with us on St. Patrick’s Day.”
McGregor’s visit to Washington D.C. drew criticism from Irish leaders. Taoiseach Micheál Martin stated that his comments “did not reflect the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day or the views of the people of Ireland.”
Martin posted on X that the holiday was “a day rooted in community, humanity, friendship, and fellowship.”
Before the meeting with Donald Trump, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in the briefing room, “We couldn’t think of a better guest to have with us on St. Patrick’s Day.”
Conor McGregor and his family were photographed with Donald Trump on Monday.
Conor McGregor described Donald Trump’s “work ethic” as “inspiring” during their meeting on Monday.
During his visit to the White House, McGregor also had a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth.
Simon Harris, now Deputy Prime Minister, said in a video posted on social media during his visit to New York: “It’s President Trump’s decision to invite whoever he wants to his home, and he’s perfectly entitled to choose who he invites to the White House.
“But let me be very clear: Conor McGregor is not here in the United States representing Ireland or its people. He’s here in a personal capacity. He doesn’t speak for Ireland, nor for the people of Ireland. He has no mandate to do so, and my views on him are very clear.”
McGregor has never held a political office before but has claimed that he would be the “only logical choice” for president of Ireland.
Ireland is led by an elected president, with Michael D. Higgins currently serving his second term after being elected in 2011 and 2018. However, most of the real political power rests with the Taoiseach, who is nominated by the Dáil, the lower house of parliament.
Yesterday, the Irishman boasted of having the “complete backing of the entire Trump administration.”
On Wednesday morning, he shared images of a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, writing: “Tremendously productive meeting!”
In another post, he shared a picture with Department of Health chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr., saying, “Astounding meeting.”
McGregor attended Trump’s inauguration in January. When asked about running for office, he responded, “We will see. We will see. We will see.”
Meanwhile, in a post last September on X, McGregor wrote: “As President, I hold the power to summon the Dáil as well as dissolve it. So, as I said before, I would have all the answers the people of Ireland seek from these thieves of the working man, these disruptors of the family unit, these destroyers of small businesses, and on and on and on!
“These charlatans in their positions of power would be summoned to answer to the people of Ireland, and I would have it done by day’s end.
“Or I would be left with no choice but to dissolve the Dáil entirely. Stop the train until the people of Ireland get the answers they deserve. Point blank. This would be my power as President. I know very well Ireland needs an active President, employed wholly by the people of Ireland. It is me. I am the only logical choice. 2025 is upcoming.”
McGregor revealed his bid to run for Irish President while wearing the same “Make Ireland Great Again” cap.
The MMA fighter was found guilty of raping Nikita Hand in a civil court case in Dublin in November.
In December 2023, amid heated discussions around the Dublin riots sparked by the stabbings of three children and a carer in the city, McGregor made a case for his presidential run.
“Potential competition if I run: Gerry [Adams], 78; Bertie [Ahern], 75; Enda [Kenny], 74. Each with unbreakable ties to their party politics,” he wrote online.
“Regardless of what the public outside their parties think, these parties govern themselves, not the people.
“Or me, 35. Young, active, passionate, fresh to the game. I listen, I support, I adapt. I have no affiliation, bias, or favoritism toward any party. They would genuinely be held accountable to the current sway of public opinion. I’d even put it all to a vote.”
His bid received support from Elon Musk, now Trump’s cost-cutting tsar, who replied, “I think you could take them all single-handedly. Not even fair.”
Andrew Tate, who faces rape and human-trafficking charges in Romania (which he denies), also expressed his backing for McGregor’s bid. He previously wrote, “My grandfather is from Limerick. I have the Irish passport. I will vote for you. We must do something before it’s too late.”
McGregor’s visit to the White House occurred months after he was found civilly liable in a High Court damages case in Dublin, following accusations of rape made by Nikita Hand.
Nikita Hand, also known as Nikita Ni Laimhin, won her claim against McGregor after accusing him of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018. Hand, 35, was awarded damages and costs after a three-week trial, in which the jury found McGregor civilly liable for assault.
A judge at the High Court in Dublin later stated that the jury had “conclusively determined” McGregor had raped Hand.
Following the case, several major retailers severed ties with McGregor, ceasing to sell his Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey. He was also removed from the video game Hitman.
A judge at the High Court in Dublin later stated that the jury had “conclusively determined” McGregor was responsible for raping Ms. Hand.
He wrote on Instagram: “The next presidential election must take place by November 11, 2025. Who else will stand up to the Government and oppose this bill?”
McGregor is currently appealing the outcome of the civil case.
In response to McGregor’s White House visit, Tánaiste Mr. Harris said, “I’ve spoken to Nikita Hand. I admire her bravery, her courage, and I’d much rather be talking about Nikita Hand than Conor McGregor, quite frankly.”
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre wrote to the U.S. Embassy in Ireland after McGregor’s White House appearance, stating that his visit “effectively normalizes sexual violence and trivializes its impact on survivors.”
Additionally, McGregor and the NBA’s Miami Heat are facing a federal lawsuit over allegations that the MMA legend sexually assaulted a woman in a bathroom at the Kaseya Center while security stood guard outside the stall. McGregor has denied the accusations.
In another incident, McGregor is also accused of striking the Miami Heat’s mascot, Burnie, during an on-court skit. The mascot was sent tumbling to the ground and a second punch left him kicking his feet in apparent pain. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra later confirmed that the performer portraying the mascot was taken to the hospital but assured reporters that Burnie did not suffer any permanent injuries.
McGregor called his meeting with Department of Health chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “astounding.”
“We won’t reveal who that is, but yeah, he can take a punch and get back up,” Spoelstra said at the time. “He’s not going to miss any time.”
McGregor has since described the incident as a “skit” that went wrong.
“The mascot’s good, my man,” he told Adam Glyn in June 2023. “The mascot is good. It was a skit, and it went the way it went, but all is well.”
Despite support from America, McGregor’s chances of becoming President are slim. Gail McElroy, a professor of political science at Trinity College Dublin, stated that it is “close to zero” that he will even be nominated.
Candidates are nominated by securing the backing of 20 members of the Oireachtas, Ireland’s lower and upper houses of parliament, or by receiving support from four of Ireland’s 31 local authorities.
Former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern and former European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness have been mentioned as potential candidates.
McGregor has garnered support from a growing faction on the Right, advocating pro-nationalist and anti-immigration views.
In Ireland’s general election last November, Fianna Fáil retained the most seats, as centrist and center-right parties continue to dominate Irish politics.
