Elon Musk has thrown his support behind another controversial presidential candidate. Well, what else did you expect?
The Tesla CEO endorsed Irish mixed martial artist Conor McGregor for the Irish presidency, calling him the ideal candidate for the role. McGregor announced his presidential bid on September 4, 2025, with the election scheduled for October 24.
The former UFC champion shared a video outside Government Buildings in Dublin, urging supporters to contact local councillors for nominations. McGregor criticized the Irish government for rising child homelessness and called for political change. He positioned himself as an active president who would serve the people of Ireland.
Musk has had public fights with Trump in recent months, and now he is supporting McGregor, who lost a civil rape case in 2024. Musk commented on McGregor’s post on X, writing “No one will fight harder for the people of Ireland than Conor McGregor!” The billionaire also reposted McGregor’s announcement with Irish flag emojis, showing clear support for the candidate who was found liable for sexual assault in civil court.
McGregor faces steep odds getting on the ballot
Political experts say McGregor’s chances of making the ballot are extremely low. To run for Irish president, candidates need support from either 20 members of parliament or four of Ireland’s 31 local authorities. Professor Eoin O’Malley from Dublin City University told Euronews that McGregor’s chances are “exceedingly unlikely” because he is “too controversial a figure.”
McGregor claims he has already secured the necessary support. “I have it secured. I have councils on board. TDs. Senators,” he wrote on X last week. However, Irish news reports indicate neither McGregor nor other celebrity candidates had contacted any county councils about nominations as of late August.
The MMA fighter’s controversial status stems from multiple legal issues. In November 2024, a civil jury found McGregor liable for rape and awarded nearly $250,000 in damages to a woman who accused him of assault in a Dublin hotel in 2018. McGregor lost his appeal of this verdict in August 2025. He has also faced other allegations of sexual assault in Spain and France, which he has denied.
McGregor has positioned himself as a figurehead for Ireland’s far-right movement. He visited Trump at the White House on March 17, 2025, wearing a “Make Ireland Great Again” cap. His presidential campaign focuses on opposing the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, which aims to share asylum seekers across member countries. McGregor has proposed putting the pact to a referendum if elected.
However, constitutional experts point out that McGregor has made false claims about presidential powers. He has suggested he could call referendums as president, but Irish presidents cannot initiate, call, or run referendums. That power belongs solely to parliament. The Irish presidency is largely ceremonial, with limited ability to block legislation.
Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien said McGregor would not be “fit” to hold the office of president. He compared McGregor unfavorably to outgoing President Michael D. Higgins, who has served with distinction for 14 years. Despite the controversy surrounding his various ventures, Musk’s endorsement has given McGregor’s campaign international attention, though domestic Irish opinion remains skeptical of his prospects.
Published: Sep 5, 2025 08:00 am