Trump. The name itself is a brand. You can already see a color associated with it, probably a formidable font too—likely in all capital letters.

When I think of the name alone, I’m reminded of the font used for The Apprentice and then the boardroom. Some may look back on that era and view the whole concept and aesthetic of The Apprentice and later Trump’s 2016 campaign as ‘hammy’ and overdone—perhaps even silly.

I live in Ireland and frequently travel across Europe. Whenever I ask people to describe America, the first images that come to mind are either the skyscrapers or the vast landscapes of the West. America is inherently large in scope, both in its height and breadth. Its physical landscape mirrors the mental landscape of its people, and in turn, their optimism.

The boundless, the indefinite, the “as yet to be written”—this is what America represents. Scope, scale, and possibility. Applying more subtle, arguably more ‘European,’ sensibilities doesn’t resonate when aiming to appeal to Americans.

If you want to capture America’s attention, you need scope, you need scale, you need vision. You need spectacle.

You don’t build skyscrapers with whispers. You build them with declarations.

Trump’s real genius? He understands that America doesn’t just need spectacle—it’s part of its DNA.

The Role of Spectacle in Politics

Spectacle isn’t just entertainment—it’s a strategic tool. It grabs attention, polarizes, and dominates conversation. Trump always understood this. I would argue that he understood it better than anyone else ever has.

This is where other conservative figures have fallen behind, favoring a ‘modest’ approach. But that is not how you appeal to America.

America’s Romanticism and optimism demand something bold and unafraid to spell out its ambitions in big block letters. Trump understands the value of making this expression literal. He speaks in images that have direct access to the American psyche and builds everything in form around that landscape.

In his love of boxing, WWE, and UFC, Trump demonstrates an understanding of the base-level attraction of conflict-based spectacle. This appeals to the immediate responses of the audience on a reactive, physical level. His rallies feel more like arenas, and his rhetoric punches hard because it mirrors the intensity of a match.

The Right’s Spectacle Deficiency

The domain of spectacle has been in the hands of the left for far too long, a consequence of leftist dominance in the arts and the value placed upon them. The right, by contrast, has often taken a more restrained and conservative approach, favoring modesty over grandeur.

But modesty doesn’t work in the spectacle-driven media environment of the 21st century.

To be ‘over-the-top’ isn’t a bad thing. It’s a tactic. Trump’s demeanor and look have never been about ‘bad taste,’ as his critics claim—it is, and always has been, a deliberate, calculated tactic. It is visual persuasion at its finest. Scott Adams and Robert Cialdini have extensively discussed how spectacle can shape public perception, and Trump embodies this in every arena he steps into.

While media remains largely dominated by the left in the Western world, attention spans grow ever thinner. The right must adapt by creating spectacles that cannot be ignored.

Conflict and Spectacle: From Trump to McGregor

The same principles apply to UFC superstar Conor McGregor. McGregor is not just a fighter; he is an event. His name solicits emotions and images of boldness, aggression, and audacity. Sound familiar?

McGregor’s rise is not simply about winning fights; it’s about crafting a narrative and creating moments people cannot look away from. Whether in the octagon or outside it, McGregor turns every event into a big production. His fights are not mere contests but curated drama. People don’t just watch McGregor to see a fight; they want to witness and be part of his story.

Conflict becomes the core of his spectacle. Tension and confrontation aren’t secondary to the combat; they are integral parts of the drama.

McGregor may not yet be a master at capturing and manipulating media attention the way Trump is, but I am convinced he can get there.

By speaking bluntly and saying what he thinks, McGregor pivots away from the politically correct constraints of Brussels and toward the sensibilities of the Irish working class.

The Irish are synonymous with fighting because we’ve had to be. Fists and poetry define our character. McGregor has the first in spades, but if he can channel that rock-solid work ethic displayed in fighting and training toward the more poetic, expressive side of the Irish psyche, he can and will win—both in the octagon and beyond.

As Trump understood spectacle as a part of America’s genome, McGregor similarly understands defiance to be a part of the Irish DNA.

Enter McGregor: Ireland’s Spectacle-Driven Populist

McGregor embodies this principle, both as a fighter and a personality. His brash, larger-than-life persona reflects the same bullish approach needed to confront today’s challenges, from media manipulation to immigration policy.

I’m not going to list what has been happening here. Half because it’s already been done, half because it makes my blood boil, but this video can show you.

His rise is not about the technicalities of combat but about crafting a compelling narrative that taps into primal emotions. McGregor’s fights are as much about the stories surrounding them as they are about the physical contest. And this same theatrical flair can be a political weapon.

The Irish have a long history of fighting, of resisting, of overcoming. McGregor knows this on an instinctual level. He’s already conquered the sporting world—if he channels that energy into politics, there’s no limit to what he can achieve.

Stealing Back the Spectacle

The comparison between McGregor and Trump illustrates that spectacle, once controlled by the left, can and should be reclaimed by the right. McGregor’s bold, larger-than-life persona reflects the masculine, bullish approach needed to confront issues like immigration head-on.

Bullish spectacle isn’t a weakness; it’s a necessary antidote to a society that has become too afraid of confrontation. McGregor represents a blend of uniquely Irish audacity and authenticity that taps into the primal masculine energy of defiance—the same flavor that won both Irish and American freedom from England.

If McGregor wants to take on a larger political role, he needs to find his Steve Bannon—someone who can guide him through the media minefield and help him leverage his star power for political gain. The election is in 2025, and just as I gave my time to MAGA, I know many of you will want to help your ancestral homeland.

The Irish American Republican presence in the U.S. is undeniable, and names like Buchanan, Hannity, O’Reilly, and Bannon have shaped the party’s identity for decades. Though we’ve leaned left as a demographic, that’s now prone to flux and change.

McGregor could tap into that changing sentiment. Ireland is the most US-friendly European country, and the Irish influence on America is woven into its fabric—we built much of the place. With a figure like McGregor leading the charge, that bond could only deepen.

The Call to Action: Can McGregor Do It?

I remember the TMZ video clip when quizzed about Trump in 2017: “Trump? Oh f*ck him and all.”

I smirked when I watched this because I knew that Conor was going to come our way. There is in him, a fighter (of course), and whilst he has extraordinarily rough edges, I saw the writing on the wall for the Irish Republic that he may have missed because he was working too hard—and this is entirely forgivable. The time I foresaw has come around and he’s now our lad.

So, can McGregor do it? Absolutely.

But we’re going to need your help. Sean Hannity once called Irish-American Republicans the Marines of the Republican Party. Once we win back America in 2025, the land of your forefathers is going to need your help.

Spectacle, boldness, and conflict-driven narratives are the solution for the right—and McGregor is its latest, most potent weapon. The fight of immigration and identity is coming to men on all fronts and in one of the most beloved allies and seed-nations of America.

Let’s get behind our lad.