Dublin-born MMA star Conor McGregor has been informed that his ambition to become the President of Ireland is nearly impossible due to significant political barriers.
The former UFC double champion has previously hinted at entering the political sphere and reignited speculation during his recent visit to Washington, where he met U.S. President Donald Trump. However, his trip sparked backlash from top Irish government officials after he openly criticized the Irish administration on St. Patrick’s Day.
Praise for Trump, Criticism for Irish Government
During his meeting with President Trump at the White House, McGregor hailed the U.S. leader’s “inspiring” work ethic, while Trump reciprocated by describing him as “fantastic.” Speaking to reporters from the West Wing, McGregor stated that he intended to raise concerns about immigration issues in Ireland during his conversation with Trump.
Furthering his political rhetoric, McGregor accused the Irish Government of “zero action with zero accountability”, taking particular aim at Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his administration’s policies on immigration and public safety.
Challenges in Running for President
Despite his outspoken stance, McGregor would face significant obstacles in securing a place on the ballot for Ireland’s presidential election. Under Irish law, a candidate must be nominated by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas (TDs or Senators) or by a minimum of four local authorities (county or city councils).
However, Professor of Politics at DCU, Gary Murphy, stated that McGregor’s chances of meeting these requirements are doubtful. Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s Today with Claire Byrne, Murphy suggested that McGregor may see Trump’s rise to power as a blueprint for his political ambitions.
“He probably looks at Donald Trump and sees that he had a career in media before becoming President,” Murphy explained. “His MMA career is all but over, and he’s likely looking for his next step, but it would be almost impossible for him to get on the ballot.”
Lack of Political Support
According to Murphy, McGregor lacks the political backing to launch a serious campaign. “There are certainly not 20 Oireachtas members who would support him, and local councils are largely controlled by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and the soft left,” he noted.
Further complicating McGregor’s prospects, Labour TD Duncan Smith recently called on the Irish government to demand an apology from the U.S. for inviting him to the White House. Such reactions signal that McGregor is unlikely to gain support from Ireland’s left, centre, or mainstream political factions.
Given these political roadblocks, experts believe McGregor’s bid for the Irish presidency is highly improbable.
