Elon Musk criticises Simon Harris, backs McGregor presidency bid

James Cox

Billionaire Elon Musk has criticised Tánaiste Simon Harris and backed Conor McGregor's unlikely presidential bid.

In posts on his social media platform X, Mr Musk accused Mr Harris of "tyrannically blocking the will of the people of Ireland".

He appared to be referring to the Fine Gael leader's direction to party councillors not to back any other candidate but Heather Humphreys.

Mr Musk, a former key adviser to US president Donald Trump, wrote: "Shame on Simon Harris for tyrannically blocking the will of the people of Ireland! Conor McGregor for President to save Ireland."

Like much American commentary on the presidential election, Mr Musk displayed a lack of knowledge of the Irish system.

To be eligible to run, a candidate must be nominated either by 20 members of the Oireachtas or four local authorities.

They must also be an Irish citizen over the age of 35.

McGregor would be unlikely to get the support of Fine Gael councillors regardless of the direction from Mr Harris.

The former UFC fighter recently claimed he had enough backing to run in the presidential election, without specifying which TDs, senators or local councils had backed him.

He previously claimed the presidential election system was unconstitutional, and launched a petition for it to be changed.

In response to Mr Musk's comments, Mr Harris said: "I see Elon Musk joined in today – and sure, why not?”

He added: “That’s the sort of man he believes should be president of Ireland.

“Thank God – he might have a say as to who is president of the United States of America, but he’s no say in terms of who the president of Ireland is.”

Last month, McGregor lost his appeal of a civil jury’s finding in favour of Dublin woman Nikita Hand, who had accused him of rape.

The MMA fighter lost his appeal on all five grounds that the case was taken.

Ms Hand (35) successfully sued McGregor in a civil court over an incident in which he was alleged to have “brutally raped and battered” her in a penthouse at a south Dublin hotel in December 2018.

The jury found that McGregor, who told the court he had consensual sex with Ms Hand, civilly liable for assault.

Ms Hand was awarded €248,603.60 in damages and McGregor was also ordered to pay about €1.3 million in legal costs following November’s trial.