Conor McGregor Seeks Support for Presidential Bid
Former UFC champion Conor McGregor is urging his supporters to help him secure a spot on the presidential ballot in Ireland.
To qualify, he needs endorsements from at least 20 members of the Oireachtas, which is Ireland’s parliament, or from four local authorities. This is a crucial step for McGregor’s campaign.
On Wednesday, he posted a video on social media outside government buildings in Dublin, calling on his followers to contact local officials for the necessary nominations.
McGregor first announced his presidential aspirations back in March after meeting with former President Donald Trump during a St. Patrick’s Day event at the White House.
Running on a populist platform, he emphasizes his anti-immigration stance and aims to challenge the existing political norms for the sake of meaningful change.
“Citizens of Ireland, the time for real change is now! As President, I will not sign any bill in law until it goes back to the people first! If you want to see my name on the ballot for the Presidency, I urge you to contact your local county councillors today and ask them to nominate me. Our councillors are the backbone of our communities,” he stated in a post on X.
He described local councillors as essential representatives who work tirelessly for their communities, contrasting them with members of the Oireachtas, who he believes often fail the country.
“They work harder and deliver more for the people than those in the Oireachtas, who continue to fail this country time and time again. If you are a councillor who feels your voice is ignored, your hands tied, and your community overlooked, then I ask you to stand with me, nominate me, and I will give you the platform and power to be truly heard,” McGregor added.
In his video message, he criticized the current government for compromising Irish citizens’ “peace of mind, security, hope for the future, and overall well-being.”
He pointed out the crisis of homelessness affecting over 5,000 children in Ireland, calling this situation “unprecedented.”
“We have seen the homelessness of Irish children rise to levels unprecedented, proving this government’s refusal to abide by and respect our proclamation that all children in Ireland are to be cherished. Instead, our children have been abandoned,” he emphasized.
McGregor also attacked the government for its handling of immigration, citing what he described as an “intense influx of mass migration” that has put pressure on an already strained system.
“This incompetent failure for future generations has been accompanied by an intense influx of mass migration into an already severed system. Our tourism has sharply declined, while danger on our streets has risen,” he stated.
His post has attracted a significant audience, amassing nearly 10 million views and over 100,000 likes on X.
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk responded to the post, endorsing McGregor: “No one will fight harder for the people of Ireland than Conor McGregor!”
The upcoming Irish presidential election is scheduled for October 24, but McGregor must secure a place on the ballot by September 24 to participate.
However, some believe his candidacy might face challenges due to a past civil liability ruling related to a 2018 sexual assault case, in which he was ordered to pay nearly €250,000.
