Irish mixed martial arts (MMA) star Conor McGregor is set to meet President Donald Trump at the White House during a Saint Patrick’s Day visit.

On Monday morning, McGregor joined press secretary Karoline Leavitt in the briefing room, where he criticized his country’s government, claiming it had “abandoned the voices of the people of Ireland.” He condemned what he described as “zero action with zero accountability” and voiced concerns over the “illegal immigration racket.”

“Our government has long since abandoned the voices of the people of Ireland. Our money is being spent on overseas issues that have nothing to do with the Irish people. The illegal immigration racket is running ravaged on the country. There are rural towns in Ireland that have been overrun in one swoop, that have become a minority in one swoop,” McGregor said.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt listens as UFC fighter Conor McGregor speaks with reporters in the briefing room of the White House, Monday, March 17, 2025, in Washington. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt listens as UFC fighter Conor McGregor speaks with reporters in the briefing room of the White House, Monday, March 17, 2025, in Washington. Associated Press

His remarks came just days after Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin met with President Trump at the White House.

In response Martin posted on X, “St. Patrick’s Day around the world is a day rooted in community, humanity, friendship and fellowship. Conor McGregor’s remarks are wrong, and do not reflect the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, or the views of the people of Ireland.”

During that meeting, President Trump praised McGregor, noting his admiration for the fighter’s tattoos and acknowledging Ireland’s history of producing formidable fighters. Trump commented, “I do happen to like your fighter; he’s got the best tattoos I’ve ever seen. Conor’s great, right? Talking about Conor, but you have a lot of great Irish fighters actually. Great fighters.”

McGregor has also dealt with legal issues of his own. He was ordered to pay 250,000 euros ($257,000) to a woman who sued him for sexual assault, though he denied the allegations.

McGregor attended President Donald Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025, marking a notable intersection of sports and politics. McGregor’s presence underscored his alignment with Trump’s administration and the broader right-wing political sphere. ​

During the inauguration festivities, McGregor was seen alongside prominent figures such as Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White, podcaster and MMA announcer Joe Rogan, along with internet personalities and fighters Jake and Logan Paul. Notably, McGregor shared a bus ride with the Paul brothers to the event, highlighting a moment of camaraderie despite previous public tensions. ​

McGregor’s attendance at the inauguration aligns with his recent political engagements. On several occasions, he has hinted at potential political ambitions, including a possible run for the presidency of Ireland.

Reporting by the Associated Press contributed to this story.

This is a developing news story and will be updated as more information is available.

Update: 3/17/25, 12:12 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.

Update: 3/17/25, 12:36 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.