Conor McGregor reveals Trump’s key mistake in first term as he delivers verdict on president’s tariff controversy

Controversial MMA fighter Conor McGregor has weighed in on President Donald Trump’s policies in a wide-ranging interview, in which he also addressed his own unlikely bid to become Ireland’s next president.

The 36-year-old, who spoke at the White House last month, delivered his verdict on Trump during a sit down with conservative American commentator Tucker Carlson.

McGregor, who has publicly backed Trump and even attended his inauguration in January, was asked to judge the president’s success.

Despite slating the Commander-in-Chief just two weeks ago, the former UFC champion offered a flattering verdict. However, he did share what he believed to be Trump’s downfall during his first presidency.

‘I thought he’d done well,’ McGregor insisted. ‘Towards the end of the term… there may have been times where as a leader of a country you almost need to cool the flames. Maybe there were a few things that fanned the flames towards the end of his first term.’

During his surprise stint at the lectern in the White House press room on St. Patrick’s Day, McGregor had gushed over ‘big bro’ American and Trump.

MMA fighter Conor McGregor has weighed in on President Donald Trump’s policies

McGregor has publicly backed Trump and even attended his inauguration in January

However, just weeks later, it appeared their bizarre romance could be teetering on the brink of a breakup.

Trump made a shock tariff announcement, setting out sweeping trade levies hitting countries across the world, including Ireland – the home of McGregor.

As Ireland is in the European Union , they will face a 20 per cent tariff, which is double what the UK have been dealt.

In response, McGregor, who had been spotted sporting a ‘Make Ireland Great Again’ cap in the wake of his White House visit, hit out at the president.

‘To be charged double the United Kingdom is an abomination!’ McGregor posted on X. ‘If this is fully reciprocal, what on earth are we charging our brothers in the US 20 per cent for at the order of the EU.

‘Although we are in the EU, Ireland must administer exemption to our siblings in the United States separate to the EU, and the favor then returned.

‘Ireland will separate here and we will charge 10 per cent on Irish goods to the US and the US will charge 10 per cent to us also. Fair play. Otherwise, and maybe the caveat in all of this, we should no longer be in the EU.’

Yet when the former Fox News host pressed McGregor on his opinion of the tariffs, the Irish mixed martial arts fighter appeared to perform a U-turn.

The former UFC champion sat down with Tucker Carlson in a wide-ranging interview

The 36-year-old made a shock appearance at the lectern at the White House last month

The Irishman was later spotted wearing a ‘Make Ireland Great Again’ cap

‘But this time around, I feel [Trump’s] off to a good start and I wish him well,’ McGregor continued. ‘I wish the United States of America well. I consider them my dear siblings. […] Even amidst the tariff situation that is going on. Ireland’s people have not seen the money that has got to do with this whatsoever. We’ve been robbed of our own money.

‘Our government says, “What good are tariffs? Tariffs are good for nobody.” Yet they’ve been tariffing the United States. If that’s the case, then why have we been tariffing them? I’m not so much against it, I’m watching it. I wish for economic success for my nation. Ireland deserves it.’

Trump sent the stock market violently spiraling over his initial refusal to back down on his tariffs policy earlier this month before granting a 90-day reprieve for countries hit by higher US tariffs – except China, whose tariffs he raised to 145 percent.

McGregor addressed his own bid for president of Ireland and vowed to take a hardline stance on migration and work to help Ireland maintain its ‘Irishness’.

He criticised governmental ‘overspending’ and alleged that public funds were being used to support illegal aliens.

Yet, McGregor warned that Irish politicians will ‘tarnish’ his bid, which he announced last month.

The UFC champion said there are ‘stipulations’ for running for presidential office, such as needed to be backed by four county councils or receiving 20 nominations from members of the Oireachtas, Ireland’s parliament.