The politics of Conor McGregor: How Trump’s ‘favourite Irishman’ developed anti-immigrant views

How Conor McGregor went from "F**k politics" to presidential wannabe

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US president Donald Trump with Conor McGregor in the Oval Office of the White House on St Patrick's Day. Photograph: X/POTUS
US president Donald Trump with Conor McGregor in the Oval Office of the White House on St Patrick's Day. Photograph: X/POTUS

For more than two years, Conor McGregor has been laying claim to the office of President of Ireland.

The former MMA fighter’s posts on social media have ranged from a portrait captioned “Your president” to ones suggesting what he would do when on office, including dissolving the Dáil.

Constitutional lawyers have repeatedly pointed out that McGregor does not understand what the powers of the President are, nor does he appear to understand the mechanism by which an Irish citizen can get on the ballot paper.

His appearance in the White House on St Patrick’s Day reflects the degree to which his politics chime with president Donald Trump’s own views. But where did McGregor’s politics come from – how did he go from a fighter who 10 years ago posted on social media “F*** religion, F*** politics” to a supporter of candidates in the recent local elections and a wannabe Áras contender?

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Crime and security correspondent Conor Gallagher tracks how McGregor’s politics have evolved.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Aideen Finnegan.

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison

Bernice Harrison is an Irish Times journalist and cohost of In the News podcast