On The Late Late Show, Rosie O’Donnell received tremendous applause for criticizing Conor McGregor‘s St. Patrick’s Day visit to the White House. O’Donnell described the moment as “very depressing” and slammed the UFC fighter for posing with Donald Trump. Given her longstanding hatred for Trump, many interpreted her statements as an extension of that animosity. Nonetheless, McGregor’s involvement, particularly as an Irish figure—seemed to strike a nerve, adding fuel to an already politically sensitive situation.

O’Donnell did not stop at criticizing the visit. Her comments branched on to larger concerns about American ideals and empathy during the Trump administration, implying that McGregor’s appearance in the Oval Office was more than just a celebrity cameo—it was a symbol of everything she believed was broken. The weight of her remarks felt personal, and with ‘The Notorious’ flirting with the possibility of a political future, her displeasure only grew stronger.

However, instead of hitting back in classic Conor McGregor form, the Irishman took an unexpected detour. When speaking with Tucker Carlson, ‘The Notorious’ responded to O’Donnell’s statements with some shocking understanding. He said, “I don’t know Rosie O’Donnell from Adam, but I believe she’s a comedian. I’ve seen her on our national TV; she spoke ill of me. She seems unhappy; she seems to be going through something at the moment. I’m not the person to kick a person when they are down.”

There was no mockery, insults, or counterpunches. Instead, he made a calm observation: he didn’t know her personally, but from what he saw, she appeared to be hurting emotionally. The statement, while understated, showcased a side of McGregor that few people see: his ability to step back and exhibit grace.

In the explosive worlds of politics, entertainment, and media, such a response is not only surprising but also quietly powerful. However, it is worth noting that while he showed a good amount of empathy here, he later talked about kicking O’Donnell out of the country.

Conor McGregor seems confused about his stance on the comedian

That moment of empathy on Tucker Carlson’s show, when Conor McGregor resisted the impulse to lash back at Rosie O’Donnell, felt like a surprising turn. Especially when, not long before displaying grace, he had considered kicking O’Donnell out of the nation entirely. The contrast was striking. In fact, it came during the same conversation. The Irishman’s tone softened when he commented on her emotional state, yet only moments before, he had given out a checklist of requirements O’Donnell must satisfy in order to remain in Ireland. It wasn’t just sarcasm; it sounded like a true, albeit exaggerated, depiction of his nationalist beliefs.

When the subject arose—would he deport Rosie O’Donnell if elected president?—He didn’t dodge it. Instead, Conor McGregor launched into a series of questions that echoed the rhetoric of hardline immigration policy. “Has she assimilated into our community? Does she hold our beliefs?” he asked, framing his response as a binary choice: contribute or leave. While he used qualifiers like “if not,” the final verdict was clear: “You’ve got to go home. You’ve got to get the hell out of here!” There was no room for nuance, no indication of the empathy that would emerge later in the same conversation.

For O’Donnell, Trump’s re-election and Elon Musk’s government influence were an emotional breaking point. She had left the United States, not for adventure, but because she was exhausted. That’s the person McGregor saw when he commented, “She seems to be going through something.” That could explain why his latter statements sounded so different from his initial declaration.

He may not have taken back what he said, but in the span of a single interview, it sounded like Conor McGregor caught himself mid-punch and opted not to throw it. What do you think? What is Conor McGregor’s original stance on Rosie O’Donnell? Let us know in the comments.