'Resounding rejection' of Conor McGregor's attempt to run for presidency — Chambers

Public expenditure minister Jack Chambers said Mr McGregor's 'type of extreme politics isn’t something that most Irish people will accept and I think it will be widely rejected if he attempted to run for the presidency'

Jack Chambers hit out at Conor McGregor’s positioning on the presidency, describing his approach to politics as extreme. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

There has been a “resounding rejection” of Conor McGregor’s attempt to run for the presidency, the public expenditure minister said after former MMA fighter was interviewed by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.

Jack Chambers hit out at Mr McGregor’s positioning on the presidency, describing his approach to politics as extreme.

“I think most political parties and independents completely reject his politics, his rhetoric, his divisive approach to public debate and I’m sure that will be reflected in his interview with Tucker Carlson,” Mr Chambers said.

“That type of extreme politics isn’t something that most Irish people will accept and I think it will be widely rejected if he attempted to run for the presidency.” 

Mr McGregor hosted Mr Carlson in his Dublin pub, the Black Forge, on Tuesday night, and was interviewed by the former Fox News host for a segment on his new network.

Mr McGregor has signalled his intentions to run for the presidency of Ireland, when Michael D Higgins’s term of office expires at the end of the year.

Mr Chambers added he would be “surprised” if Mr McGregor received enough support for a nomination to contest the presidency.

To receive a nomination, prospective candidates are required to be nominated by 20 members of the Oireachtas, or nominated by four local authorities.

Last month, Mr McGregor was invited by US president Donald Trump to visit the White House for St Patrick’s Day.

His visit to the White House was widely condemned by Irish politicians, including the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, who said that he did not speak for Ireland.

Later in March, it was confirmed no charges would be brought against Mr McGregor over alleged incitement of hatred ahead of the Dublin riots in late 2023.

On the night before the riots, Mr McGregor had tweeted “Ireland, we are at war”, and a separate post later said: “You reap what you sow."

It is understood gardaí had investigated Mr McGregor’s comments and forwarded a file to the DPP to consider whether charges should be brought. It has now emerged no charges will be brought.

The High Court also heard last month that Mr McGregor is due to seek to introduce new evidence in support of his appeal to overturn a civil jury’s verdict last year that he assaulted Nikita Hand.