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Trump says Conor McGregor is ‘great’ and Rory McIlroy is ‘fantastic’

‘You have a lot of great Irish fighters actually,’ Donald Trump said to Irish premier Micheal Martin.

David Young
Wednesday 12 March 2025 18:26 GMT
US President Donald Trump during a bilateral meeting with Taoiseach Micheal Martin (Naill Carson/PA)
US President Donald Trump during a bilateral meeting with Taoiseach Micheal Martin (Naill Carson/PA) (PA Wire)

Donald Trump has said MMA fighter Conor McGregor is “great” when asked who his favourite Irish person is.

The US president also called Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy a “talented” and “fantastic” player, who he had played a round of golf with three weeks ago.

Mr Trump made the comments while in the Oval Office for a meeting with Irish premier Micheal Martin as part of St Patrick’s Day engagements.

Asked who his favourite Irish person is, Mr Trump said there were “many”, before remarking: “I do happen to like your fighter.”

“He’s got the best tattoos I’ve ever seen,” he said referring to Mr McGregor.

“Conor’s great, right. But you have a lot of great Irish fighters actually, great fighters.

Mr Trump said: “Ireland’s always had a lot of good fighters. You know why, because they’re tough people, they’re smart people and they’re passionate people.

“I think your father was a great fighter, right?” Mr Trump said to Mr Martin.

“He was, yes,” Mr Martin replied. “A very good defensive boxer. He was a good boxer, boxed for Ireland.

Later on in the Oval Office, Mr Trump praised Mr McIlroy as one of his favourite golfers.

“I think Rory’s great, he’s a great golfer,” he said.

“He just won two weeks ago, he’s a great guy, I played golf with him three weeks ago and he’s a really fantastic player.

“He’s in good form too, when he played with me he played very well I can tell you. Rory is certainly one of the favourites, he’s a very talented player.”

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