UFC star Conor McGregor announces intention to run for Ireland’s presidency

Former UFC champion Conor McGregor has announced his intention to enter the political arena, revealing plans to run for the presidency of Ireland in 2025. The mixed martial artist made the announcement on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, where he has been critical of the nation’s current leadership.

McGregor’s initial hint at a presidential bid came on Wednesday, Sept. 4, when he responded to a video circulating online showing a recently installed bike rack outside the Irish Parliament building which reportedly cost over $370,000. That price tag has sparked criticism over government spending, with McGregor accusing members of Parliament of being “greedy and corrupt,” adding that such expenditures would not occur under his presidency.

“I’ve seen nicer bus stops! Who charged this extortionate price?” McGregor wrote on X about the bike rack. “With me as president this type of carry on that we’ve seen countless times, some more serious than others, would be tore apart on the spot!”

Thursday, Sept. 5, McGregor made a more formal declaration, stating that the people of Ireland deserve a leader who is accountable to them and asserting that he is the “only logical choice” for the role.

The Dublin native also warned that if the government continued to act as “thieves of the working man,” he would consider dissolving the nation’s Parliament if elected as president.

“These charlatans in their positions of power would be summoned to answer to the people of Ireland and I would have it done by day end. Or I would be left with no choice but to dissolve the Dáil entirely,” McGregor wrote. “Ireland needs an active President employed wholly by the people of Ireland. It is me.”

McGregor’s announcement has already garnered support from high-profile figures, including Tesla and X CEO Elon Musk, as well as controversial media personality and former professional kickboxer Andrew Tate. Meanwhile, these political ambitions from McGregor have raised questions about his future in the UFC, where he was expected to make a return to the octagon this year.