Conor McGregor Declares Run for Irish Presidency in 2025, Opposes EU Migration Pact

Dublin, March 20, 2025, 6:13 PM PDT – Conor McGregor, the iconic MMA champion, announced his candidacy for the 2025 Irish presidential election on Thursday evening via X, vowing to oppose the European Union’s Migration Pact and push for a referendum on the issue. The former UFC star’s entry into politics, detailed in a tweet by @TheNotoriousMMA, signals a potential shakeup in Ireland’s political landscape, as reported by The Irish Times and BBC News.

Ireland must fully implement the EU Migration Pact by June 12, 2026.

So between now and 12 June 2026, several pieces of legislation have to be passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas & then signed by the President.

The next presidential election must take place by 11 Nov 2025… — Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 20, 2025

McGregor’s Stance on Immigration

McGregor made immigration a cornerstone of his campaign, criticizing the EU Migration Pact, which Ireland must implement by June 12, 2026, through legislation passed by the Oireachtas and signed by the president. In his X post, he declared, “It’s the choice of the Irish people! Always! That’s true democracy!” He questioned the Irish government’s support for the pact, tweeting, “I’d be curious to hear why our government representatives are so enthusiastic about this pact. I’d love to hear the debates!”

The post, which garnered 14.5K replies and widespread attention on X, reflects McGregor’s populist appeal, with users like @IrelandFirst cheering “a voice for the people,” while @EUObserver warned of “divisive rhetoric.” McGregor’s opposition aligns with his recent criticisms of illegal immigration, voiced during his March 17 visit to the White House, per Sky News.

Meeting with Donald Trump

Before announcing his candidacy, McGregor met U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on St. Patrick’s Day, Monday, March 17, 2025, during celebrations at the White House. Speaking alongside Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, McGregor raised alarms about Ireland’s “losing its Irish character” due to illegal immigration, calling Prime Minister Micheál Martin’s handling “a complete farce,” as reported by Fox News. He emphasized the “brother-sister” bond between Ireland and the U.S., stating, “Ireland and America are sibling nations. We see America as our big brother. It’s vital that Ireland thrives so the 40 million Irish-Americans have a homeland to visit and return to.”

Posts on X, like @Trump2025’s, praised the meeting as “a historic alliance,” while @IrishPolitics criticized McGregor’s alignment with Trump’s policies. Web results, including news.sky.com (March 18, 2025), detail McGregor’s Oval Office visit, where he and Trump discussed immigration and bilateral ties, amid Irish leaders’ disapproval, per The Irish Examiner.

McGregor’s Political Ambitions

McGregor’s candidacy for Ireland’s presidency, set for November 2025, leverages his fame as a two-division UFC champion and his outspoken persona, as outlined on conormcgregor.com. The Irish presidency, a largely ceremonial role, requires candidates to be Irish citizens, at least 35 years old, and nominated by 20 Oireachtas members, four county councils, or as an incumbent, per CBSSports.com (September 2024). Current President Michael D. Higgins, ineligible for reelection after two terms, leaves the race open, as noted in The Guardian.

McGregor’s platform, focusing on immigration and U.S. ties, targets populist voters, but legal hurdles remain, as he must secure nominations, per The Irish Times. Posts on X, such as @MMApolitics’s, see his candidacy as “a wildcard,” while @IrishDemocracy questions his qualifications, citing his lack of political experience.

Public and Political Reactions

The announcement has sparked polarized responses in Ireland. Supporters, like @McGregorNation on X, view it as “a bold move for the people,” while critics, including @FineGaelVoice, label it “populist grandstanding.” Prime Minister Martin, criticized by McGregor, defended the EU Migration Pact on X, per RTE News, arguing it ensures “fair burden-sharing.” Opposition parties, like Sinn Féin, remain neutral, with @SinnFeinIreland calling for focus on voter priorities, per Politico.eu.

As of 6:13 PM PDT, McGregor’s campaign is gaining traction online, but analysts, like those at The Irish Independent (March 2025), predict challenges in navigating Ireland’s political establishment and securing formal candidacy.