Donald Trump expressed admiration for UFC star Conor McGregor during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin on Wednesday, March 12, in the Oval Office.
McGregor, known for his outspoken personality and in-cage success, has long divided opinion. While some praise his achievements in the sport, others believe his controversies outside of it have tarnished his legacy. Despite this, Trump has not shied away from discussing the Irishman’s career.
"I do happen to like your fighter," Trump told Martin. "He's got the best tattoo I've ever seen."
Donald Trump says he’s a fan of Conor McGregor:
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 12, 2025
“He’s got the best tattoos I’ve ever seen. Conor’s great…
Ireland’s always had a lot of good fighters. You know why, because they’re tough people.”
pic.twitter.com/LDgUslJiX9
This comes after a brief rift between McGregor and Trump when the former U.S. president declared Khabib Nurmagomedov as his favorite UFC fighter. However, tensions eased when McGregor was later invited to attend the Starlight Ball alongside other high-profile celebrities.
During the meeting, Trump praised Ireland’s history of producing elite fighters.
"Conor’s great, right? You have a lot of great Irish fighters, actually. Great fighters. I don’t know what that is, but Ireland’s always had a lot of good fighters," Trump said.
"[Do] you know why? Because they're tough people. They're smart people, and they're passionate people."
In response to President Trump's comments, McGregor announced he was traveling to Washington to meet the new President.
🇮🇪 🤝 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/jD71Fx3R5u
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) March 17, 2025
McGregor, who's been involved in political debate regarding his native Ireland's future, has previously hinted at running for Prime Minister of Ireland.
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