A major scandal has erupted following Donald Trump’s White House meeting with MMA fighter Conor McGregor on St. Patrick’s Day, sparking outrage from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) and women’s rights activists worldwide. The Irish organization has condemned the visit as “very sinister,” accusing the Trump administration of normalizing sexual violence by hosting McGregor, who was recently ordered to pay damages in a civil rape case.
Irish Rape Crisis Charity Condemns White House Meeting
In a formal letter to the United States Embassy in Ireland, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre denounced McGregor’s White House invitation as an attempt to rehabilitate his public image despite his civil rape conviction.
“We do believe that the meeting between Trump and Conor McGregor was really very sinister, and we have called it out for what it is—an attempt to rebuild the very damaged reputation of Conor McGregor,” stated Rachel Morrogh, CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.
The organization further warned that McGregor’s glorification on an international stage trivializes the trauma of sexual violence survivors, undermining the work of advocacy groups striving to eliminate sexual assault.
McGregor’s Civil Rape Conviction and Trump’s Endorsement
McGregor, a former UFC champion, was sued by an Irish woman in 2023, who accused him of brutally raping her in a Dublin hotel. After a civil trial, McGregor was ordered to pay over €248,000 (approximately $270,000) in damages. Though he was not criminally charged, the case fueled public backlash against the fighter, whose career has been marred by repeated assault allegations and violent outbursts.
Despite this, Trump welcomed McGregor with open arms, even allowing him to take the podium at a White House press briefing. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt introduced McGregor, saying she “couldn’t think of a better guest to have with us on St. Patrick’s Day.”
McGregor then launched into a fiery anti-migrant speech, drawing further criticism for his controversial rhetoric.
Trump and Sexual Misconduct Allegations: A Pattern Emerges
For many critics, Trump’s embrace of McGregor is unsurprising, given his own history of sexual misconduct allegations.
In 2023, a U.S. court found Trump liable for sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll, ordering him to pay millions in damages. Trump has been accused of sexual assault by at least 26 women, though he has denied all allegations.
Critics argue that McGregor’s White House visit reflects a disturbing pattern—Trump has frequently supported and surrounded himself with high-profile men accused of sexual violence, further normalizing and excusing such behavior.
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s Plea to the Trump Administration
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has urged the U.S. Embassy to relay its concerns to the Trump administration, emphasizing that McGregor’s glorification sends a dangerous message to survivors of sexual violence.
However, given Trump’s own legal history, many doubt that the White House will take any meaningful action.
“Birds of a feather flock together,” critics have remarked, pointing to Trump and McGregor’s shared history of misogyny, violence, and legal troubles.
Public Backlash and Political Fallout
The McGregor-Trump meeting has ignited outrage across social media, with many calling it a new low for the administration. Women’s rights activists, survivors, and advocacy groups have expressed disgust at the White House’s decision to celebrate a man recently found guilty in a civil rape case.
As the controversy continues to unfold, the question remains: Will Trump face political consequences for aligning himself with yet another high-profile figure accused of sexual violence? Or will this scandal, like so many before it, simply be swept under the rug?
One thing is clear—for sexual violence survivors and their advocates, the fight for justice is far from over.
