Irish people react to Conor McGregor's White House words - not all are against him

Irish MMA fighter Conor McGregor met with President Donald Trump in the United States on St Patrick's day with Irish people back home divided in their opinions of his speech.

Ahead of the meeting, Taoiseach Míchael Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris warned that Mr McGregor's views should not represent the views of the Irish public.

"Conor McGregor is not in the US representing Ireland, he doesn’t speak for Ireland, or its people," said Simon Harris.

Conor McGregor spoke out against the Irish government while in The United States, and said "this government is the government of zero action with zero accountability" and said they have "abandoned the the voices of the people in Ireland."

"Our money is being spent on overseas issues, nothing to do with the Irish people," he added, while also making comments on immigration in the country.

"There are rural towns in Ireland that have been overrun in one swoop, that have become a minority in one swoop. The forty million Irish Americans need to hear this. If not, there will be no place to come home to visit," Mr McGregor said.

Mr McGregor said to Donald Trump, "you're work ethic is inspiring," and congratulated him on The Gulf of America which was mapped out in a chart behind him, to which Mr Trump replied, "yours is too."

The people of Ireland have expressed hundreds of mixed views on Conor McGregor's stand in Washington. 

Conor McGregor speaks in the White House before his meeting with President Donald Trump.

He says he is there “to raise the issues the people of Ireland face”. pic.twitter.com/CZyC0BJ47S

— Sky News (@SkyNews) March 17, 2025

While some agree with McGregor and said he should run for government, others have criticised McGregor due to his past controversies and scandals.

One person on X said, "Conor's word means very little anymore. I speak with people in Ireland. I have relatives in Ireland. Conor is not very popular in Ireland due to his behavior and actions. He should go out and do charity work and ask for nothing in return."

READ NEXT: Amazon.ie launches in Ireland with dedicated brands of Ireland page and exciting new benefits

While another person said, "Thank God that Ireland has a REAL MAN to stand up for them. Give Ireland back to the Irish and deport all the immigrants."

Someone else said, "I mean … really? Not everyone now deserves the podium. Not least this guy for real."

Another comment said, "Conor McGregor Prime Minister of Ireland?" while someone else replied, "If an actor can run the USA… a dancer can run Ukraine… a fighter is exactly who should run Ireland….".

pic.twitter.com/hAZGF0zuQP

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 17, 2025