Donald Trump: Trumpamania: How Donald Trump is linked to WWE and MMA | World News
Trump’s relationship with WWE, formerly WWF, began in 1988 when he became involved in Vince McMahon’s sports entertainment empire. Trump Plaza in Atlantic City sponsored WrestleMania in 1988 and 1989, with Trump expressing his interest in the event in a 2011 documentary.
Trump appeared at WrestleMania events in 1991, 2004, and participated in the “Battle of the Billionaires” at WrestleMania 2007, where Bobby Lashley defeated Umaga, leading to Vince McMahon’s head being shaved in the ring. Trump was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013 and appointed Linda McMahon, WWE co-founder and Vince’s wife, as the Small Business Administration’s head.
The Battle of the Billionaires takes place at WrestleMania 23
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin Stunner President US Donald Trump
Vince McMahon’s payments of $5 million to Trump’s former charity in 2007 and 2009 coincided with Trump’s WWE appearances, although the exact purpose remains unclear, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. These payments were revealed during investigations into unrelated expenses by McMahon.
The WWE website recalls, “In January of that year, The Donald interrupted Mr. McMahon’s ‘Fan Appreciation Night’ on Raw and dropped tens of thousands of dollars from the rafters of the arena onto the WWE fans below. Red-faced that a rival would steal the spotlight from him, Mr. McMahon challenged Trump to a ‘Battle of the Billionaires’ at WrestleMania 23 with the stipulation that the loser of the bout would have his head shaved bald.
A record number of viewers tuned in to watch The Donald back Bobby Lashley to victory over Mr. McMahon’s Umaga and subsequently shave the WWE Chairman’s signature mane in the center of the ring.
The business magnates locked horns again in June 2009 when Trump purchased Monday Night Raw and immediately announced that next week’s show would air commercial-free and that every WWE fan who purchased a ticket would be given a full refund. The trademark Trump public relations flourish nearly made Mr. McMahon’s head explode and forced him to buy his show back from The Donald for twice the price.
Following this on-screen rivalry with WWE’s Chairman, Trump focused beyond his ever-expanding real estate empire and Emmy-nominated reality television show ‘The Apprentice,’ embracing the world of American politics.
After trading in his favorite television catchphrase ‘You’re fired!’ for a national promise to ‘Make America Great Again,’ Donald Trump won his first presidential campaign against key contender Hillary Clinton and officially took the oath of office on Jan. 20, 2017, becoming the 45th President of the United States — the first time in history a WWE Hall of Famer would ever hold the distinguished title of U.S. Commander-in-Chief.”
Trump’s connection with UFC and Dana White began over 20 years ago when Trump invited White to hold events at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, attending both the May and June 2001 events. White endorsed Trump at the 2016 Republican National Convention and made an appearance with him at a UFC event shortly after Trump’s conviction in his hush-money trial.
At the recent Republican National Convention, Hogan, White, and Linda McMahon endorsed Trump. Hogan’s speech, filled with his famous wrestling catchphrases, included ripping off his shirt to reveal a Trump t-shirt. He called Trump his “hero” and “what America needs,” citing an assassination attempt on Trump as his inspiration. Linda McMahon also spoke on Trump’s behalf.
White’s speech for Trump marked a shift from previous conventions where Melania and Ivanka Trump gave introductory speeches in 2016 and 2020, respectively.
Despite his support for Trump, Hulk Hogan endorsed Barack Obama in 2008 but chose not to endorse him for his second term in 2012, according to The Washington Post.
