Mick Foley ‘parting ways’ with WWE over Donald Trump relationship
WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley is “parting ways” with the company due to its association with President Donald Trump.
Foley posted a statement today revealing that he will not be renewing his WWE Legends contract when it expires this coming June. Along with that, he will not be making any appearances as a representative of WWE while Trump remains in office. Foley said he’s been concerned about WWE’s relationship with Trump for months now — but the breaking point for him was seeing how Trump reacted to the death of director Rob Reiner. Foley called Trump’s reaction “incredibly cruel” and questioned how anyone in WWE could stand by him.
The full statement from Foley can be read below:
- PARTING WAYS WITH WWE
- 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.
- I no longer wish to represent a company that coddles a man so seemingly void of compassion as he marches our country towards autocracy. Last night, I informed @WWE talent relations that I would not be making any appearances for the company as long as this man remains in office.
- Additionally, I will not be signing a new Legends deal when my current one expires in June. I love WWE, will always treasure my time with them, and I am deeply appreciative for all the opportunities they afforded me. But, in the words of Popeye the sailor, ‘I stands all I can stands, and I can’t stands no more.‘
WWE executive Paul “Triple H” Levesque — one of Foley’s most famous in-ring rivals — is a member of Trump’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition and has appeared at White House events. There has been no public reaction from Levesque or anyone in WWE over the comments Trump made about Reiner.
Reiner and his wife Michele were found dead at their Los Angeles home on Sunday. Their son Nick, who has long struggled with substance abuse and mental health issues, is believed to be responsible for their deaths. Trump responded to the news in a Truth Social post on Monday where he claimed that Reiner had driven people “crazy” with his outspoken criticism of the president.
Both Foley and Trump were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2013.
This past weekend, WWE was in Washington, D.C. for John Cena’s final match. Trump himself did not attend the event, but there were White House officials there including Linda McMahon and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.