The two men are not only connected by their love for combat sports: On the occasion of St. Patrick’s Day, US President Trump welcomed mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor to the White House. McGregor immediately used the big stage to criticize his country’s migration policy.
US President Donald Trump hosted controversial Irish martial artist Conor McGregor at the White House for St. Patrick’s Day. The mixed martial arts fighter met with Trump, his National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and spoke to reporters in the government headquarters press room.
St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday honoring the Irish patron saint, Saint Patrick. Irish immigrants brought the celebrations in honor of their national saint to the USA. Last week, Trump had already welcomed Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin to the White House in anticipation of the holiday. By hosting McGregor on St. Patrick’s Day, the combat sports fan Trump made a controversial statement – the Irish government distanced itself from McGregor.
The Irish mixed martial arts fighter is considered a big star in the scene, but his most recent fight dates back a bit. Last year, a court in Dublin ruled in a civil case that the fighter must pay around 250,000 euros in damages to a woman who accuses him of rape. The plaintiff accused McGregor of raping and assaulting her in a hotel room in December 2018. McGregor testified at the time that the sex was consensual and announced plans to appeal.
Backlash from Irish Prime Minister
Before his return to the White House, Trump was also ordered to pay damages in a civil case for sexual abuse. A New York jury found that Trump had attacked, sexually abused, and later defamed US author E. Jean Carroll in a New York luxury department store in 1996. Trump also denied the allegations and filed an appeal.
During his visit to Washington, McGregor criticized the Irish government for its migration policy. He said that Ireland is on the verge of possibly “losing its Irishness.” Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin responded by saying that McGregor’s remarks were incorrect and did not reflect the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, which globally revolves around community, humanity, and friendship.
“President Trump can invite whoever he wants to his home, and he has the right to do as he pleases when inviting someone to the White House,” Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris also stated. “But let me be clear: Conor McGregor is not in the US to represent Ireland or the Irish people.”