UFC legend Conor McGregor is launching a campaign to secure a spot on the ballot for Ireland’s presidential election, scheduled for October 24, 2023. The 37-year-old fighter, who hails from Dublin and grew up in Crumlin, turned to social media on Thursday to rally support from Irish citizens, emphasizing a message focused on empowering the local populace.
In a post shared on X, McGregor declared, “Citizens of Ireland, the time for real change is now!” He vowed that throughout his presidency, he would ensure that every bill would be presented to the public for approval before becoming law. McGregor urged his followers to reach out to their local county councillors and request their nomination, stating, “If you are a councillor who feels your voice is ignored… then I ask you to stand with me.”
McGregor’s campaign slogan, “Ar aghaidh, ar son na hEireann,” translates to “Forward for Ireland” in Gaelic, reflecting his ambition to connect with the Irish people. To qualify for the presidential race, candidates must secure nominations from either 20 members of the Irish parliament or four of the 31 local authorities. Additionally, they must be at least 25 years old.
His deadline to secure nominations is September 24, giving him just weeks to gather the necessary support. McGregor faces competition from Independent candidate Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys, a former Irish cabinet minister representing the Fine Gael party. The largest party in Ireland, Fianna Fail, has yet to announce its candidate, while the influential party Sinn Fein has not confirmed whether it will participate or endorse a candidate.
Adding to the intrigue of McGregor’s political aspirations is the backing he has received from billionaire Elon Musk. Musk, who has recently become vocal in British politics, expressed his support through a post stating, “No one will fight harder for the people of Ireland than Conor McGregor!” His endorsement has likely bolstered McGregor’s visibility as he navigates this new arena.
While McGregor aims to position himself as a champion of the people, his announcement comes shortly after a legal setback. The High Court in Dublin found him liable for sexually assaulting Nikita Hand in a hotel in 2018. The court ordered him to pay the victim approximately $285,000 in damages, along with $1.5 million in legal costs. Authorities declined to pursue criminal charges, citing insufficient evidence for a conviction.
In July, McGregor faced further scrutiny when rapper Azealia Banks shared explicit images of him online, prompting him to respond to the controversy with a defiant post, now deleted. He remarked, “Don’t let them distract you… while they rob our country blind!”
Adding to his challenges, McGregor’s bar, The Black Forge Inn, located in Crumlin, suffered a fire in July, with police investigating it as a potential act of arson.
As the election date approaches, McGregor’s bid for presidency is poised to capture the attention of not just his fans but also a broader audience interested in the political landscape of Ireland. Whether he can convert his celebrity status into political support remains to be seen, but his call for “real change” has sparked significant discussion.
