WWE Legend Mick Foley Parts Ways with Company Citing Ties to Trump Administration
NEW YORK, N.Y. — Mick Foley, a celebrated WWE legend known for his hardcore wrestling style and multiple championship reigns, announced on Tuesday that he will be severing ties with WWE due to the company’s association with President Donald Trump’s administration. Foley, 60, has been an outspoken critic of Trump, particularly during the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, and cited the promotion’s close relationship with the administration as incompatible with his values.
In a heartfelt message posted on social media, Foley expressed his dismay over WWE’s connections to the Trump White House, which intensified after Trump’s return to office and the appointment of WWE’s former executive Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education. WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque was also notably present at the White House when Trump signed an executive order reinstating the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, as well as the Presidential Fitness Test.
“While I have been concerned about WWE‘s close relationship with Donald Trump for several months — especially in light of his administration’s ongoing cruel and inhumane treatment of immigrants (and pretty much anyone who ‘looks like an immigrant’) — reading the President’s incredibly cruel comments in the wake of Rob Reiner’s death is the final straw for me,” Foley wrote on Instagram. Trump’s remarks about filmmaker Rob Reiner sparked widespread backlash, including condemnation from GOP leaders, underscoring the divisive nature of the president’s rhetoric.
Foley continued, “I no longer wish to represent a company that coddles a man so seemingly void of compassion as he marches our country towards autocracy.” He informed WWE talent relations that he would cease making appearances for the company while Trump remains in office and announced he will not renew his Legends contract when it expires in June.
Despite his departure, Foley expressed deep gratitude for his time with WWE, stating, “I love WWE, will always treasure my time with them, and I am deeply appreciative for all the opportunities they afforded me.” He concluded with a quote from Popeye the Sailor: “I stands all I can stands, and I can’t stands no more.”
Foley’s decision highlights growing tensions within the entertainment and sports industries regarding affiliations with political figures. The WWE, a global entertainment powerhouse, has maintained a complex relationship with Trump dating back to his ownership of the company in the early 2000s and his appearances at WWE events. The recent political developments have brought these ties back into the spotlight.
For context, the U.S. Department of Education under Secretary Linda McMahon has pursued policies aligned with the Trump administration’s agenda, which has been criticized by various advocacy groups for its approach to immigration and social issues. The Department of Health and Human Services has also been involved in implementing controversial immigration policies, which Foley referenced in his statement.
WWE has yet to issue a formal response to Foley’s announcement. The company’s relationship with the Trump administration has been a subject of public scrutiny, especially following events such as the signing of the executive order on sports and fitness initiatives at the White House.
Mick Foley’s legacy in professional wrestling is marked by his willingness to endure physical punishment in brutal matches, including iconic moments like his falls from the Hell in a Cell cage. His outspoken stance against the current administration marks a significant moment in the intersection of sports entertainment and political activism.
As the nation continues to grapple with political polarization, Foley’s departure underscores the personal and professional challenges faced by public figures navigating their affiliations in a contentious environment. For more on the administration’s policies and their impact, see the White House Briefing Room and updates from the U.S. Government portal.
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