The former mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor has withdrawn from Ireland’s presidential election and complained that nomination rules were a “straitjacket” that prevented a true democratic contest.
“Following careful reflection, and after consulting with my family, I am withdrawing my candidacy from this presidential race,” he posted on X on Monday morning. “This was not an easy decision, but it is the right one at this moment in time.”
The Irish presidency is a largely symbolic, seven-year post but McGregor had vowed to curb immigration in order to shore up “Irish culture” and to give power “back to the people”.
He had hoped to leverage his social media following – which includes 10.7 million followers on X – and the backing of Elon Musk and tacit support of Donald Trump to get on the ballot for the election on 24 October. Tucker Carlson and other far-right US commentators had also backed the former athlete.
McGregor had faced an uphill battle to get on the ballot – a candidate must be nominated either by 20 members of parliament or four local authorities – and said the process was “fixed” in favour of establishment candidates.
He had been due to address several councils this week, along with other independent hopefuls, but analysts said the chances of winning any endorsements were slender.
McGregor, 37, said his abortive campaign to succeed Michael D Higgins as president had highlighted unfairness in the constitution’s eligibility rules. “This democratic deficit against the will of the Irish people has now been successfully magnified by my expression of interest,” he said.
Last week, Simon Harris, the deputy prime minister and Fine Gael leader, said McGregor “represents the very worst of us”.
Opinion polls showed scant popular support for McGregor – just 7% of voters in one survey – and negligible support among legislators and local authorities.
However, McGregor said his campaigned had “catalysed” a mobilisation against a malevolent establishment and mainstream media. He said: “There is now a very visible and vocal movement of Irish patriots reverting to our cultural and historical origins seeking to maintain and protect our way of life as Irish – to them I salute you. The current has changed and this tide cannot be held back!”
McGregor is a polarising figure in Ireland and in July lost an appeal over a civil court ruling last year that awarded damages to a woman who accused him of rape.
Other celebrities who also expressed interest in running for president, before dropping out, include the former dancer Michael Flatley and the musician and aid campaigner Bob Geldof.
So far there are three confirmed candidates: Heather Humphreys, a former government minister who is running for Fine Gael; Jim Gavin, a former manager of Dublin’s Gaelic football team who is running for Fianna Fáil; and Catherine Connolly, an independent member of parliament who is backed by small leftwing parties including the Social Democrats, Labour and People Before Profit.
Sinn Féin, the main opposition party, has yet to decide whether to field its own candidate or back Connolly.
An opinion poll at the weekend put Humphreys in the lead with 22% support, Gavin second with 18% and Connolly trailing on 17%.
