Trump White House Slammed For Hosting Conor McGregor Months After He Paid $250,000 to Rape Accuser
Evan Vucci/AP
President Donald Trump’s White House on Monday was harshly criticized for welcoming Irish UFC star Conor McGregor for Saint Patrick’s Day.
On Monday morning, the official X/Twitter account of the White House posted a short video of McGregor walking out of a door with his patented strut. When he got close to the camera, McGregor said, “Happy Patty’s Day, America.”
McGregor later joined Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in the briefing room and took question. Leavitt confirmed that McGregor would be meeting Trump in the afternoon and that “we couldn’t think of a better guest to have with us on Saint Patrick’s Day.”
His presence at the White House has proven to be divisive. Although Trump called McGregor his favorite Irish person and he received a warm reception early Monday, many critics have pointed to McGregor’s countless controversies — including multiple allegations of sexual assault, and a judgment against him in a civil court where he was found liable of assault — to argue that he shouldn’t have been invited.
In response to the news of McGregor’s visit, Irish Tanaiste Simon Harris made it clear that the mixed martial artist was not there on behalf of the country.
“But let me be very clear,” Harris said, “Conor McGregor is not here in the United States representing Ireland or the people of Ireland. He’s here in a personal capacity. He doesn’t speak for Ireland. He doesn’t speak for the people of Ireland. He has no mandate to do such; and my views on him are very clear, well-established.”
Harris also reiterated his support for Nikita Hand, the woman who accused McGregor of rape and was awarded more than $250,000 after McGregor was found liable for assaulting her in a civil case.
Many other social media posts referenced McGregor’s ongoing legal issues.
Update (03/19/25): This story has been updated to specify that McGregor was found liable for assault in the civil case brought by Nikita Hand, who accused McGregor of rape.
