Months after announcing his desire to run for the office of Irish president, Conor McGregor is back in the political conversations once again. This time, he seems to be trying to clear his name after rumors surfaced that the houses he had committed to build for those struggling from the housing crisis in Ireland were ‘for rent to buy’.
Announcing his bold ambition of building 300 social homes in Ireland by 2025, McGregor claimed those with vested interests had been running a campaign of lies against him.
“It spread feverishly, and people ate it up, attempting to attack me like it was fact, yet it is full-on lies”, Conor said.
This year, in 2025, I will have completed over 300 homes built toward social housing in Ireland. All my own money. There was a lie being spread against me (nothing new there) that these houses were for rent to buy. It spread feverishly and people eat it up and attempt to attack…
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) February 4, 2025
The former UFC champion added that he had been supporting many causes that affected the most vulnerable in society. He asserted that helping a family living on the streets or in hostels gives him immense satisfaction. He has been doing it for years, claimed Conor.
In his long tweet, elaborating on this, McGregor then shifted to asking the Irish people for their votes.
“SAVE IRELAND, VOTE MCGREGOR,” he appealed.
The former UFC champion promised that should he receive the people’s mandate, he would work on eradicating corruption, illegal immigration, and lack of accountability in the Irish parliament.
But for many from Ireland, McGregor’s words sounded hollow. They pulled up past instanced to call out ‘The Notorious‘.
Is Ireland with Conor?
As McGregor’s social housing commitment and political comments gained attention, fans in the comments section began questioning if this was just another PR stunt. Others questioned if he was suitable to be a leader in the first place. Several users referenced past incidents and videos showing actions inconsistent with the values he now claims to stand for.
One person shared a video where McGregor is seen spitting in a man’s face after the fan yelled, “Let’s go Khabib”. Many had found the incident shocking. “What about this, Conor? Do you consider yourself a good representation of Irish culture?”, the person asked the former UFC champion.
What about this, Conor? Do you consider yourself a good representation of the Irish culture? pic.twitter.com/DD5LMxJysA
— Satoshi’s Apprentice (@SatoshisApp) February 4, 2025
Others piled on with critical remarks about McGregor’s character and recent actions. One X user brought up McGregor’s comments about Derry fighter Paul Hughes, asking, “What about the north of Ireland?”. This was to address McGregor questioning Hughes’ identity as an Irishman.
What about the north of Ireland
— Andrew Wallace (@AndrewW102912) February 4, 2025
These comments reflect the ongoing tension between McGregor’s persona and his political statements, with many feeling that his past actions still overshadow his present aspirations. McGregor has had a lot of trouble with the law in the last few years, with multiple cases of assault among other things.
It should also be noted that, unlike the USA, Ireland follows a parliamentary representative democracy. And, the power to make the majority of the changes McGregor wishes to make lies with the Prime Minister and not the President.
