Key takeaways:

• Conor McGregor met with President Trump at the White House on St. Patrick's Day.
• McGregor criticized the Irish government for its handling of immigration issues.
• The meeting coincided with Trump's praise for McGregor's fighting career.
• Controversial past legal issues regarding McGregor surfaced during discussions.

Irish mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor met with President Donald Trump at the White House on St. Patrick's Day, where he seized the opportunity to express his frustrations with the Irish government's handling of illegal immigration. Speaking alongside White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, McGregor condemned what he termed an influx of illegal immigration as "ravaging" Ireland and leaving rural areas where Irish people are becoming minorities. He urged for better U.S. leadership and wished for Irish Americans to be aware of these issues, stating, "we need to raise the issues the people of Ireland face," as reported by BBC.

During his remarks, President Trump praised McGregor, noting his admiration for his tattoos and acknowledging the rich history of Irish fighters. "I do happen to like your fighter; he's got the best tattoos I've ever seen," Trump commented, highlighting their shared interests, according to The Hill. However, McGregor's controversial background surfaced as well, with reminders of legal issues including a civil case last year where he was found liable for sexual assault, although he has denied the allegations and is appealing the judgment, as detailed in Newsweek.

The meeting reiterated the close ties between McGregor and Trump, with McGregor previously attending the President's inauguration in 2017. As McGregor takes a stronger public stance against what he calls "zero action with zero accountability" from the Irish government, the implications of his statements on both his career and international perceptions of Ireland could be significant.