Washington, D.C. – Irish mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor made a surprise appearance at the White House on Monday. He used his visit to denounce what he called an ‘illegal immigration racket’ affecting Ireland.
The former UFC champion, known for his outspoken views and support for former President Donald Trump, claimed that his country was being ‘ravaged’ by immigration policies and criticised the Irish government for what he described as a lack of action.
“What’s going on in Ireland is a travesty,” McGregor declared. “Our government is a government of zero action.”
McGregor, dressed in a dark green pinstripe three-piece suit in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, addressed Irish expatriates, telling them that their homeland was ‘potentially losing its Irishness.’
His remarks sparked swift responses from Irish officials, who sought to distance themselves from his statements.
Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin dismissed McGregor’s claims as ‘wrong’ and unrepresentative of the views of the Irish people.
Deputy Premier Simon Harris emphasised that McGregor was not in the U.S. on behalf of the Irish government and had no mandate to speak on their behalf.
During his visit, McGregor praised former President Donald Trump, calling him ‘inspiring’ and suggesting that his time at the White House included ‘a little bit of learning and listening.’
Trump, in turn, spoke highly of McGregor, despite the multiple sexual assault allegations the fighter is facing.
“Conor’s great, right?” Trump said. “You have a lot of great Irish fighters. I don’t know what that is, but Ireland has always had a lot of good fighters. You know why? Because they’re tough people. They’re smart people and they’re passionate people.”
McGregor continues to battle legal troubles, including a civil lawsuit in which an Irish court ordered him to pay £200,000 to a woman who accused him of sexual assault in a hotel penthouse.
Additionally, he is facing a lawsuit in the U.S. from a woman who alleges he assaulted her in a restroom after an NBA Finals game in Miami in 2023. While Florida prosecutors declined to press criminal charges, the accuser proceeded with a civil case against him.
Following the Irish court ruling, McGregor expressed disappointment, stating that he planned to appeal.
“I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP reviewed,” he said. “I am with my family now, focused on my future.”
During the White House press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt lightheartedly commented on McGregor ‘taking over the podium’ before allowing him to leave. When a reporter from the Daily Mail attempted to question him about undocumented Irish immigrants in the U.S., McGregor did not respond.
His visit and remarks have further fuelled debate on Ireland’s immigration policies while also drawing attention to his ongoing legal battles.
