Conor McGregor White House: The Irish MMA star stirred controversy with anti-immigration remarks during his St. Patrick’s Day visit. McGregor and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt have criticized the Irish government for supposedly ignoring the immigration concerns of the nation’s citizens.
“Ireland is at the cusp of potentially losing its Irishness,” said McGregor, alleging that rural communities were “overrun by immigrants.”
Irish Leader Condemns McGregor’s Comments
Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin swiftly condemned McGregor’s remarks, calling them inappropriate and not reflective of Ireland’s values.
“St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of community, humanity, friendship, and fellowship,” Martin wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Conor McGregor’s comments do not represent the spirit of our nation.”
McGregor’s History of Controversial Statements
McGregor has a history of making anti-immigration statements. In 2022, he publicly supported protests against immigration policies, with his comments often echoed by groups linked to the far right.
Despite this, McGregor has hinted at ambitions to run for president of Ireland. During his White House appearance, he reiterated his desire to raise awareness of the “travesty” he claims is happening in his home country.
“It’s about time that America is made aware of what’s going on in Ireland,” McGregor said. “Issues need to be addressed.”
Trump’s Praise for McGregor
President Donald Trump expressed admiration for McGregor, praising his athletic career and tattoos. “Conor’s great, right?” Trump said when asked about his favorite Irish figure.
The Court Cases of McGregor
McGregor’s ongoing legal issues further cloud his political ambitions and public statements. He is facing legal prosecution for allegedly committing sexual assault at the 2023 Miami NBA Finals. In a another case, a Dublin judge awarded €250,000 in damages to a woman who accused McGregor of sexual assault in 2018. He has denied the charges and is challenging the ruling.
Source: CNN
