Most people know Donald Trump as a real estate mogul and former president, but few realize he spent decades building relationships in the wrestling world that would shape his political career. Trump’s connection to WWE spans over 25 years, involving everything from hosting major events to getting his head nearly shaved on live television. His wrestling persona helped him master the art of crowd manipulation and theatrical politics that would later define his presidential campaigns.
Trump’s friendship with Vince McMahon started in the 1980s
Back in the mid-1980s, two flashy millionaires with matching egos found common ground in the world of entertainment. Trump had just made the Forbes list for his family’s estimated $200 million net worth, while Vince McMahon was building his wrestling empire after purchasing the company in 1982. Both men shared similar backgrounds as somewhat flashy businessmen who understood the power of spectacle and media attention.
Their friendship developed naturally as both operated in the same circles of New York and New Jersey entertainment venues. Trump later described the relationship in 2013, praising McMahon’s unusual energy and calling him an “amazing guy.” The wrestling world provided Trump with a platform where his larger-than-life personality could shine, while McMahon gained access to Trump’s prestigious venues and mainstream media connections. This partnership would prove beneficial for both men’s careers over the following decades.
WrestleMania events brought Trump into the spotlight
Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino became the official host venue for WrestleMania IV and V in 1988 and 1989, though the actual events took place next door at the Atlantic City Convention Hall. Trump paid for and sponsored both events, marking his first major involvement in professional wrestling. The 1988 tournament featured Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant as marquee names, with Trump prominently visible at ringside throughout the show.
The following year’s WrestleMania V centered around the “Megapowers Explode” storyline between Hogan and Randy Savage. Trump’s hosting wasn’t unusual since he had already hosted numerous boxing matches at his venue the previous year. However, these wrestling events gave him exposure to a different demographic and helped establish his persona as someone who appreciated working-class entertainment. Trump later admitted he “just wanted a piece of WrestleMania” because everyone in the country wanted to host the event.
The Battle of the Billionaires became legendary television
By 2007, Trump had returned to WWE in dramatic fashion for the “Battle of the Billionaires” storyline at WrestleMania 23. This wasn’t just any wrestling match – both Trump and McMahon put their famous hairstyles on the line, with the losing billionaire facing a public head shaving. Trump chose powerhouse Bobby Lashley as his representative, while McMahon selected the feared Umaga. The stakes felt genuine because both men’s hair had become part of their public personas.
The match drew mainstream media attention unlike typical wrestling events, with major news outlets covering the spectacle. When Trump’s wrestler won, the real drama began as Trump helped “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Lashley shave McMahon’s head completely bald. The evening ended with Austin delivering his famous “Stone Cold Stunner” to Trump, leaving a future president sprawled in the wrestling ring. This wrestling footage would later become a viral meme during Trump’s political campaigns.
Trump actually believed McMahon died in a fake explosion
WWE’s storytelling sometimes blurs the line between reality and fiction so effectively that even insiders get confused. In June 2007, WWE aired a storyline where Vince McMahon supposedly died in a fiery limousine explosion on Monday Night Raw. The dramatic scene was designed to shock viewers and create buzz for upcoming storylines, but the line between performance and reality became surprisingly blurred for some viewers.
According to Triple H, who appeared on the Opie and Anthony Show in 2008, Trump actually called to ask if something had really happened to McMahon. The fact that a wrestling industry insider like Trump couldn’t immediately distinguish the staged explosion from reality demonstrates how convincing WWE’s productions can be. The storyline was ultimately scrapped following a real tragedy involving wrestler Chris Benoit, and McMahon returned to television without any explanation of his supposed “death.”
WWE Hall of Fame induction sparked mixed reactions
Trump’s 2013 induction into the WWE Hall of Fame celebrity wing seemed like a natural recognition of his decades-long relationship with the company. McMahon himself introduced Trump, making the bold prediction that “second only to me, Donald might very well be a great President of the United States” – remarkably, this was two years before Trump even announced his presidential campaign. The ceremony gave Trump another platform to showcase his public speaking skills to a devoted audience.
However, the reception wasn’t entirely positive. Trump’s Hall of Fame speech received mixed reactions from the crowd, and the following night at WrestleMania 29, he was noticeably booed when introduced to the audience. Since his presidency, calls to remove Trump from the Hall of Fame have intensified, particularly after the January 6, 2021 Capitol incident. Despite the controversy, the Hall of Fame represents McMahon’s way of recognizing business relationships, and Trump’s inclusion reflects their genuine long-term partnership.
Linda McMahon joined Trump’s presidential administration
The wrestling-politics connection became official when Trump appointed Linda McMahon, Vince’s wife and former WWE executive, to lead the Small Business Administration in 2017. Linda had previously run twice as a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, giving her relevant political experience beyond her wrestling industry background. Her appointment demonstrated how Trump’s WWE relationships translated into real political alliances and career opportunities.
Linda served in the role from February 2017 to April 2019, when she stepped down to chair the pro-Trump super PAC America First Action. Trump praised her as a “superstar” and “one of our all-time favorites” upon her departure. The McMahons have remained significant financial backers of Trump’s political campaigns, showing how their wrestling world friendship evolved into a mutually beneficial political partnership. This connection illustrates how Trump’s entertainment industry relationships provided him with a network of supporters when he entered politics.
Wrestling tactics shaped Trump’s political style
Political observers have noted striking similarities between Trump’s campaign rallies and WWE events, from the music and fireworks to the crowd signs and call-and-response interactions. Trump’s rally style mirrors wrestling’s theatrical approach, with him playing the role of the heroic underdog fighting against corrupt establishment figures. His famous nicknames for opponents – “Lying Ted,” “Crooked Hillary,” “Sleepy Joe” – echo wrestling’s tradition of colorful character names and rivalries.
The concept of “kayfabe” – wrestling’s tradition of maintaining storyline illusions – may explain Trump’s relationship with his supporters. Just as wrestling fans enjoy the performance while knowing it’s scripted, Trump supporters often seem to appreciate the entertainment value of his statements regardless of their literal truth. This wrestling-influenced approach to politics emphasizes emotional engagement over factual accuracy, prioritizing the strength of audience reaction over traditional political messaging. Trump’s decades in WWE essentially provided him with a masterclass in crowd manipulation and theatrical storytelling.
Recent appearances show the relationship continues
Trump’s connection to WWE hasn’t ended with his political career. In June 2024, he appeared on Logan Paul’s “Impaulsive” podcast, with promotional photos showing both men holding Paul’s WWE United States Championship belt. Paul, who signed with WWE in 2022, has become one of the company’s prominent performers, battling major stars like Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns while maintaining his social media empire.
The promotional content featured Trump and Paul in a classic wrestling-style face-off, suggesting Trump’s understanding of WWE’s promotional tactics remains sharp. This recent appearance demonstrates that Trump continues to see value in maintaining his wrestling world connections, even as a former president. The ongoing relationship suggests that Trump’s WWE ties weren’t just a business arrangement but represent genuine personal relationships that have endured through his various career phases.
Trump briefly “owned” WWE in a 2009 storyline
In 2009, Trump made another memorable WWE appearance when he supposedly “purchased” the company from McMahon in a dramatic storyline. The angle played into Trump’s business mogul image, with him appearing as the new owner who would shake up WWE’s operations. Of course, this was entirely fictional – Trump never actually owned any part of WWE – but the storyline allowed both men to showcase their on-screen chemistry and business personas.
Within weeks of the fictional purchase, McMahon had “bought back” his company, ending Trump’s brief stint as WWE’s storyline owner. The angle demonstrated how comfortable both men had become with blending their real business identities with WWE’s fictional universe. This storyline also showed Trump’s willingness to participate in WWE’s more elaborate productions, not just appear as a guest but actually become part of ongoing narratives. The fake ownership angle added another layer to Trump’s WWE character development.
Trump’s WWE history reveals a complex relationship that goes far beyond simple celebrity appearances. His decades-long friendship with the McMahons, combined with his natural understanding of theatrical politics, created a unique foundation for his later political success. Whether intentional or not, Trump’s wrestling world education taught him valuable lessons about audience engagement, character development, and the power of entertainment in capturing public attention that would prove invaluable in his presidential campaigns.
