By Peter.
Wrestling icon Mick Foley has declared he will step away from any involvement with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) for at least the next three years, pointing to the organization’s longstanding connections to President Donald Trump and his recent harsh remarks following the death of filmmaker Rob Reiner.
In a post to his 633,000 Instagram followers on Tuesday, Foley revealed he notified WWE officials on Monday that he would decline all appearances during Trump’s tenure. “I refuse to align with a company that enables someone so lacking in empathy as he steers our nation toward authoritarianism,” he stated.
The decisive factor for Foley was Trump’s insensitive mockery of Reiner, the acclaimed director found dead in his Los Angeles home on Sunday, alongside his wife, with preliminary reports indicating stab wounds as the cause, according to a family source speaking to NBC News.
Foley expressed growing unease over WWE’s ties to Trump, exacerbated by the administration’s harsh policies on immigrants and those perceived as such. Trump’s history with WWE includes on-screen rivalries with ex-CEO Vince McMahon, while McMahon’s wife, Linda, serves as Trump’s Education Secretary after leading the Small Business Administration in his first term. Additionally, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, McMahon’s son-in-law and WWE’s current chief content officer, has made White House appearances with Trump.
Known for his multifaceted ring personas—including the masked Mankind with his quirky Mr. Socko puppet, the laid-back Dude Love in tie-dye, the rugged Cactus Jack from Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, and his high-flying style inspired by Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka—Foley was enshrined in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013, the same year as Trump.
WWE representatives were unavailable for immediate comment.
Veteran wrestling manager Jim Cornette lauded Foley’s stance, saying, “While I’ve always respected him, he’s now my absolute favorite. I hope more in the industry show his courage and principles.”
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