Conor McGregor Announces Presidential Run in Ireland

Conor McGregor has announced his presidential run in Ireland, days after visiting U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House.

McGregor’s Announcement

McGregor, 36, shared the news on Instagram Thursday, making his pitch to the people of Ireland for the largely ceremonial position in a lengthy caption alongside a photo of himself wearing a “Make Ireland Great Again” hat.

“Ireland must fully implement the EU Migration Pact by June 12, 2026. 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,” he wrote in a post to his more than 46 million followers.

“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.

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“It is the people of Irelands [sic] choice! Always! That is a true democracy!… This is the future of Ireland with me as President. All citizens of Ireland to have a voice and a choice on their future! God bless our people. Vote McGregor and have your voice heard.”

Path to Presidency

McGregor still has a long way to go if he’s serious about the career change into politics. Presidential candidates in Ireland must be nominated by at least 20 of the 234 members of the lower and upper houses of parliament. Alternatively, they could be nominated by four of Ireland’s 31 local councils, according to Ireland’s electoral commission.

The president of Ireland is elected every seven years and can serve a total of two terms. The responsibilities of the president include representing the people of Ireland and signing legislation into law and/or referring bills to the Supreme Court.

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Criticism of Irish Government

Earlier this week, McGregor criticized the Irish government while he was taking questions from press about his thoughts on Ireland’s current political landscape at the podium beside White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

The former UFC champion said he was at the White House to “raise the issues the people of Ireland face.”

“It will be music to the people of Ireland’s ears because never on the main stage has the issues the people of Ireland face been spoke,” McGregor said, adding that he believes Ireland’s government has abandoned the voices of the people of the country.

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“It’s high time that America is made aware of what’s going on in Ireland. What’s going on in Ireland is a travesty. Our government is the government of zero action with zero accountability,” he said. “Our money is being spent on overseas issues that has nothing to do with the Irish people.”

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“The illegal immigration racket is ravaging on the country,” the MMA fighter continued. “There are rural towns in Ireland that have been overrun in one swoop, that have become a minority in one swoop. It just needs to be addressed.”

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McGregor said the “40 million Irish Americans need to hear” what he planned to say at the White House during his visit.

“Because if not, there will be no place to come home and visit,” he added. “Ireland is at the cusp of potentially losing its Irishness and I’m here to raise the issue and highlight it. It’s also St. Patrick’s Day so a little bit of celebrations for sure.”

UFC fighter Conor McGregor speaks in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday, March 17, 2025. McGregor said he was meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump later in the day.

Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Reaction from Irish Government

After news of McGregor’s meeting with Trump spread, Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin took to X to share a statement about the UFC fighter’s thoughts on Ireland.

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“St. Patrick’s Day around the world is a day rooted in community, humanity, friendship and fellowship,” Martin wrote. “Conor McGregor’s remarks are wrong, and do not reflect the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, or the views of the people of Ireland.”

Colum Eastwood, leader of Ireland’s Social Democratic and Labour Party, said Ireland is “pretty embarrassed” by McGregor following the visit.

“Conor McGregor has never been elected to anything, he doesn’t represent the Irish people,” Eastwood said on X. “In fact, we’re all pretty embarrassed by him.”

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