MMA Star Conor McGregor Meets Donald Trump, Goes On Anti-Immigration Rant

Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor, who has been found liable of sexual assault, met Donald Trump during a Saint Patrick's Day visit on Monday during which he lashed out at illegal immigration in Ireland. "Ireland is at the cusp of potentially losing its Irishness," said McGregor during an appearance in the White House briefing room alongside the president's press secretary, Karoline Leavitt. "The illegal immigration racket is running ravage on the country," added the fighter, wearing a green business suit to mark Saint Patrick's Day, the centuries-old celebration of his homeland.

Trump later hosted the 36-year-old former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) star -- whom he said last week was his favorite Irishman -- in the Oval Office.

McGregor posed for a picture with his arm around Trump's shoulder as the president sat at his desk, and for another with tech tycoon and powerful Trump advisor Elon Musk. 

Tesla billionaire Musk previously backed McGregor when he spoke in the past about a possible presidential bid in Ireland. Musk has recently spoken out in support of a number of anti-immigration parties in Europe.

"Your work ethic is inspiring," McGregor told Trump, according to footage posted by an aide to the US president. 

"Yours is too, you're fantastic," replied Trump.

Mc Gregor had earlier said he would be "listening" to Trump on immigration -- one of the US president's main focus areas as he seeks to ramp up deportations of people without proper documentation.

"We couldn't think of a better guest to have with us on Saint Patrick's Day," Leavitt said.

McGregor's comments earned swift pushback from Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, who met with Trump last week in the White House and received a