The Irish Rape Crisis Charity has criticized Conor McGregor’s meeting with Donald Trump at the White House, calling it a “sinister” move that could improve the fighter’s public image. The charity’s CEO, Rachel Morrogh, expressed concern that the meeting, which took place on Saint Patrick’s Day, could be seen as a way to rehabilitate McGregor’s reputation following a civil court finding him liable for rape. Morrogh’s letter to the US embassy in Dublin argues that the meeting could send the message that there is a path to redemption leading directly to the White House. She also pointed out that this meeting could imply the White House is being used to improve McGregor’s tarnished reputation.

Conor McGregor was ordered in November by a civil court to pay nearly €250,000 in damages to a woman who accused him of rape. He claims the sex was consensual and is appealing against the verdict, with a hearing set to take place in the high court in Dublin.

McGregor used his platform at the White House to criticize the Irish government over its immigration policies, claiming Ireland was “losing its Irishness” and that some rural towns had been “overrun in one swoop.” McGregor, dressed in a green suit on Ireland’s national day, spoke in the White House briefing room and later met with Trump and Elon Musk in the Oval Office along with his partner and children.

Despite McGregor’s claims, there is no evidence to support his assertions about immigration in Ireland. Government data shows that just over 45,000 people have applied for asylum in Ireland in the last three years, a country with a population of about 5.3 million.

McGregor’s support from figures such as the self-styled misogynist influencer Andrew Tate and Irish anti-immigration campaigners, whose reach has been extended by Elon Musk’s retweets, has been controversial. The Irish government has dismissed McGregor’s claims about immigration as “wrong,” with the finance minister expressing disappointment upon learning of the meeting.

Responding to the criticism, McGregor accused the Irish government of “zero action with zero accountability.” However, his stance on immigration has been broadly condemned.

There is speculation that Conor McGregor might be preparing for a presidential run in Ireland later this year.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/mar/19/conor-mcgregor-trump-meeting-sinister-irish-rape-crisis-charity