Conor McGregor’s bid to become Ireland’s president is boosted by Tucker Carlson as the men discuss country’s immigration problems at the MMA fighter’s packed pub, surrounded by supporters

Tucker Carlson appears to have thrown his weight behind Conor McGregor as the controversial MMA fighter continues his unlikely bid to become Ireland’s next president.

McGregor is currently appealing the result of a civil case after a jury in Dublin found he had raped a woman, Nikita Hand, in 2018 and ordered him to pay damages.

In the midst of this legal controversy, he was invited to the White House by Donald Trump for St Patrick’s Day, a move that was met with condemnation from Irish politicians and many members of the public.

He announced his bid to become president just days later, though his plan to run for office is unlikely to get off the ground with a lack of members of the Oireachtas – Ireland’s parliament – willing to nominate him.

The 36-year-old has received endorsements from misogynist influencer Andrew Tate and tech billionaire Trump ally Elon Musk, and his anti-immigration stance has seen him welcomed with open arms by the MAGA movement.

On Tuesday night, former Fox News host Carlson, who is also a staunch Trump supporter, conducted a two-hour interview with McGregor on the topic of immigration.

During the day, McGregor took Carlson on a tour of the Irish capital and its parliament buildings, with the pair trailed by an entourage and a Rolls-Royce as they walked the city’s streets.

They later met at the Black Forge Inn, the fighter’s pub in Crumlin, south Dublin, with a crowd of McGregor’s supporters – including some wearing MAGA hats – taking free pints poured by the UFC fighter.

McGregor hosted US TV host Tucker Carlson at his pub in Crumlin, south Dublin, on Tuesday

McGregor put out an open invitation to his supporters to join them at the pub and was pictured pouring pints behind the bar

On Tuesday night, former Fox News host Carlson, who is also a staunch Trump supporter, conducted a two-hour interview with McGregor on the topic of immigration

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, invited Conor McGregor to speak at the White House in Washington on March 18, 2025

McGregor is currently appealing the result of a civil case after a jury in Dublin found he had raped a woman, Nikita Hand, in 2018 and ordered him to pay damages. Pictured with his partner Dee Devlin and mother Margaret outside the High Court in Dublin, November 22, 2024

Ahead of the pub gathering, McGregor put out an open invitation to his more than 10 million X followers, writing that there would be ‘live music, top tier food, great drink, great people, and a happy and celebratory atmosphere’.

He announced to those attending that there would be a free bar and was pictured pouring pints of his own-brand stout.

At one point he offered one to Carlson, a teetotaler, who declined.

McGregor welcomed the chance to be interviewed by Carlson, who famously sat down with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and conducted the first on-camera interview with Trump after his recent election.

The UFC fighter labelled their discussion ‘a great cause’, telling the Irish Times: ‘We had a great chat with Tucker Carlson highlighting the issues Ireland is facing, Ireland’s plight, Ireland’s fight and also Ireland’s delight.’

He went on: ‘It’s not all doom and gloom and we want to keep a positive outlook and move incrementally, step by step, to a better Ireland.’

McGregor complimented Carlson as having a ‘great listening ear’ and said he had spoken ‘from the heart’ and looked forward to his interview being ‘absorbed by the Irish public’.

Speaking to journalists, McGregor reportedly said that he believes he has the endorsement of President Trump for his own presidential ambitions.

One of McGregor’s supporters stood by the bar waiting for a photo with the fighter, cheering ‘President McGregor’ as he served pints.

‘He doesn’t need to be elected. He’s ordained. He’s got Trump’s blessing,’ another McGregor supporter at the bar told the Telegraph.

While McGregor may enjoy some support from a small portion of the electorate, there is evidence that mainstream voters and officials have no interest in him taking political office.

McGregor announced the plans in an Instagram post where he is stood ahead of a private jet and wearing a Make Ireland Great Again cap

A survey of 134 politicians found every single respondent rejected the notion.

Presidential candidates must receive the support of 20 Oireachtas members, of which there are 234 in total, or the backing of four of Ireland’s local authorities in order to stand.

Every one of the 134 politicians who replied to a survey conducted by Sky News said they would not support McGregor running, with none putting the ‘maybe’ option.

Meanwhile and Irish Times survey of councils found that none of the 187 local councillors who responded would give their backing to McGregor.

One Irish Senator told Sky: ‘I consider him to be a tacky, moronic vulgarian. I would never consider him even remotely a suitable person for a nomination.’

Garret Ahearn, Fine Gael Senator, added: ‘I genuinely would struggle to think of anyone worse to hold that position.’

UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor of Ireland celebrates after defeating Eddie Alvarez in their UFC lightweight championship fight during the UFC 205 event at Madison Square Garden on November 12, 2016 in New York City

Conor McGregor in front of the Trump and Vance portraits at the White House

According to Irish media outlet Gript, McGregor’s co-defendant in the civil rape case taken by Nikita Hand, James Lawrence, was also in attendance at the pub gathering.

McGregor is also facing another civil case in Florida amid claims he sexually assaulted a woman in Miami in 2023, an allegation his legal team says he denies.

He was previously found guilty of a number of driving offences and pleaded guilty to one charge of assault after video surfaced of him punching a man in a pub in Dublin in 2019.