PREVIEW

McGregor’s White House Visit Sparks Backlash from Irish Leaders. Conor McGregor’s St Patrick’s Day visit to the White House has drawn criticism from Irish political leaders, who stressed he does not represent Ireland. The MMA fighter, accompanied by his partner and four children, met President Trump and praised his work ethic as "inspiring," while Trump called McGregor “fantastic." McGregor told reporters he intended to raise concerns about immigration in Ireland, accusing the Irish government of "abandoning" its people and misusing public funds. Speaking at the White House press briefing room, McGregor criticized Ireland’s asylum policies, calling the situation a “travesty” and promising to voice these issues to Trump. Taoiseach Micheál Martin rebuked McGregor’s remarks, saying they were “wrong” and did not reflect the spirit of St Patrick’s Day or the views of the Irish people. Tánaiste Simon Harris reiterated that McGregor was in Washington in a “personal capacity” and has “no mandate” to speak for Ireland or represent its citizens. SDLP assembly member Matthew O'Toole condemned McGregor’s White House appearance as “an insult to the island of Ireland” and criticized the Trump administration for “platforming” him. In 2024, McGregor lost a civil case for rape in Dublin, where a jury found him liable and ordered him to pay over €248,000 in damages. McGregor was also photographed with Elon Musk at the White House; Musk, a Trump ally, is currently leading efforts to downsize the federal government. Despite the controversy, Trump praised McGregor’s career, while Irish officials distanced the nation from the fighter’s views and presence in Washington.
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