Importance Score: 55 / 100 🔵
Conor McGregor’s Presidential Ambitions Face Political Backlash in Ireland
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) star Conor McGregor’s aspiration to become the President of Ireland has encountered staunch resistance from the nation’s political establishment. A survey encompassing 134 politicians revealed unanimous disapproval of his potential candidacy, signaling a significant hurdle for the former UFC champion’s political aspirations.
Unanimous Political Opposition
The poll, conducted by Sky News, although described as not ‘exhaustive or rigorously scientific’ by the organization’s Ireland correspondent, highlighted widespread skepticism among Irish political figures regarding McGregor’s suitability for the highest office. Numerous respondents voiced harsh criticisms, underscoring the challenges McGregor would face in gaining political traction.
One prominent parliamentarian, a Teachta Dála (TD), expressed strong condemnation, stating, ‘He’s a misogynist and a thug. On behalf of the women of Ireland, he can f*** off.’ This vehement rejection reflects a deeply negative perception of McGregor within certain political circles.
Controversy and Legal Issues Cloud McGregor’s Bid
McGregor, aged 36, announced his intention to run for President of Ireland shortly after a visit to the White House earlier in March, where he met with former US President Donald Trump around St. Patrick’s Day. However, his presidential aspirations are shadowed by a series of ongoing legal controversies.
He is currently appealing a civil court verdict in Dublin, his home city, where a jury concluded he had assaulted a woman, Nikita Hand, in 2018, and mandated him to provide financial compensation. Furthermore, McGregor is implicated in another civil lawsuit in Florida, alleging sexual assault in Miami in 2023, accusations vehemently refuted by his legal representatives.
Adding to his legal history, McGregor has prior convictions for driving violations and pleaded guilty to an assault charge following the circulation of a video depicting him striking a man in a Dublin pub in 2019.
Scathing Assessments from Senators and TDs
The negative sentiments towards McGregor’s presidential aspirations extended beyond rank-and-file politicians. A sitting Irish Senator delivered a withering assessment to Sky News, labeling him a ‘tacky, moronic vulgarian’ and asserting he would ‘never consider him even remotely a suitable person for a nomination.’
Echoing this sentiment, Fine Gael Senator Garret Ahearn stated, ‘I genuinely would struggle to think of anyone worse to hold that position,’ further highlighting the significant political opposition McGregor faces.
Presidential Candidacy Requirements
To officially contest the Irish presidency, candidates must secure the endorsement of 20 members of the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament) or garner support from a minimum of four local authorities. The Oireachtas comprises 234 members, including 60 senators and 174 TDs.
Sky News’ survey indicates that at least 134 Oireachtas members would immediately reject McGregor’s candidacy, suggesting a formidable challenge in meeting the nomination threshold.
White House Visit and Political Fallout
The political backlash intensified following McGregor’s widely publicized visit to the White House, where he was photographed with Donald Trump on March 17. Trump reportedly praised McGregor as one of his ‘favorite sportsmen’.
Prior to meeting the former US President, McGregor publicly criticized the Irish government, alleging ‘zero action with zero accountability’ and claiming that national funds were being misdirected to ‘overseas issues’.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and other Irish leaders strongly criticized McGregor’s Washington DC appearance and remarks, asserting that his comments were unrepresentative of ‘the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, or the views of the people of Ireland.’
Anti-Immigration Stance and Presidential Platform
Subsequent to his White House visit, McGregor declared his presidential bid, centering his campaign on an anti-immigration platform. In a lengthy social media post, he voiced opposition to the EU Migration Pact and positioned himself as the candidate to ‘stand up to Government and oppose this bill.’
McGregor further stated his intention to submit the EU Migration Pact to a referendum if elected, emphasizing that ‘it is the people of Ireland’s choice! Always! That is a true democracy!’ He concluded with a direct appeal to voters on social media, urging them to ‘Vote for me as your President and we will SAVE IRELAND TOGETHER!’
McGregor’s Rise to UFC Prominence
Before his foray into politics, Conor McGregor achieved global fame as a dominant force in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). His ascent in the sport began in the amateur and professional circuits in Europe, culminating in his UFC debut in April 2013.
Rapid success in the UFC saw McGregor capture the interim featherweight title by 2015. His charismatic personality and impressive fighting skills rapidly propelled him to stardom.
He solidified his legacy in December 2015 by defeating José Aldo in a record-breaking 13 seconds to unify the featherweight championship. This victory and his subsequent achievements cemented his status as a global sporting icon.
Two-Division Champion and Continued Career
McGregor’s trajectory reached new heights in 2016. Despite a setback against Nate Diaz, he avenged the defeat in a rematch and, later that year, claimed the UFC lightweight title. This historic win made him the first UFC fighter to simultaneously hold championships in two weight divisions.
In 2017, McGregor transitioned to professional boxing for a high-profile match against Floyd Mayweather, further amplifying his global profile. He returned to the UFC in 2018 to face Khabib Nurmagomedov in a bout marred by pre-fight controversy and ultimately resulting in a defeat for McGregor.
While securing another UFC victory against Donald Cerrone, McGregor subsequently experienced further losses to Dustin Poirier, including a serious leg injury in their most recent fight.
Wealth and Ongoing Legal Battles
McGregor’s lucrative fighting career, coupled with successful business ventures, have resulted in significant personal wealth. Forbes recognized him as the world’s highest-paid athlete in 2021.
However, recent years have been marked by a series of legal challenges, most notably the civil court case where he was ordered to pay substantial damages following a sexual assault finding. The accusation stemmed from an alleged incident in Dublin in December 2018 involving Nikita Hand.
McGregor has publicly stated his intention to appeal the verdict, expressing disappointment and emphasizing his focus on the future.