Former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor announced that he will run for Irish presidency late last week and now his social media campaign is in full swing.
“Who else will stand up to the government and oppose this bill?” said the ex-fighter on X.
Any other Presidential candidate they attempt to put forward will be of no resistance to them. I will!
His announcement came just days after meeting President Trump in the White House, which left lots of people unhappy, with comments calling it “a clown show” and a “disgrace.”
McGregor is now tackling all kinds of political issues on social media.
Regarding what he calls the “illegal migration problem” in Ireland, he wrote “an immediate stop and reverse must come into effect for the survival of Ireland as we know it.”
He’s also mouthing off about mainstream media and car insurance and repair prices, dubbing them “a real threat to the nation’s future.”
Ivana Bacick, leader of the Irish Labour Party, publicly condemned McGregor and his comments, saying it's "mortifying" to see him "purport to represent Ireland in the US".
The Irish government, currently a coalition of parties, are moving to block McGregor’s attempt to gain a nomination.
In order to contest presidential elections in Ireland, candidates must secure the backing of at least 20 Oireachtas (national parliament) members, or four local authorities.
One senior minister confidently told extra.ie, “I can assure you now, Conor McGregor will not be standing for presidency this year. We will stop it.”
To no one's surprise, McGregor took to twitter to respond to the news, simply stating: “No you won't."
There are mixed reactions on social media, a lot of McGregor's fans backing the unusual career pivot.
“We stand with you Conor,” one X user commented. Another agreed: “Vote Conor for president of Ireland. Make Ireland Great Again!”
Others aren't convinced: “On behalf of all my Irish friends, please don’t make the mistake of allowing this man to ruin your country," one person wrote.
“How many kicks in the head has this man taken?” asked another.
I wouldn’t vote for him if he was the only person on the ballot.
Late last year, McGregor was order to pay a woman called Nikita Hand €248,000 (£206,000) in damages after he was found liable for sexual assault.
McGregor has always denied the claim, but recently he has appealed the case, allegedly bringing forward new evidence.
He is no stranger to legal trouble, having previously faced charges for disorderly conduct, strong-armed robbery and misdemeanor criminal mischief and several driving offences.
Gail McElroy, a professor of political science at Trinity College Dublin, says McGregor’s chances of being nominated are “close to zero.”
It won’t be for a lack of trying, but there may be too many hurdles for the ex-fighter to climb.
