WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley has publicly announced that he has left the company with immediate effect, citing the relationship with Donald Trump as the main factor behind his exit.
Issuing a lengthy statement on his Instagram page, Foley stated that the way that the US President reacted to the death of film director Rob Reiner was the “final straw”, and that he had informed Talent Relations that he would not make any appearances on behalf of WWE while Trump remained in office, and would not be signing a new Legends deal when it expires in 2026:
“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.”
On December 15, news broke that Reiner and his wife were found dead in their home, which is now being treated as a homicide case. Their son Nixk is currently the key suspect in the case.
Later that day, President Trump commented on the tragedy via his Truth Social platform, and claimed that the director suffered from “Trump derangement syndrome”, accusing Reiner of extreme paranoia:
A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood. Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star, has passed away, together with his wife, Michele, reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, sometimes referred to as TDS. He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness, and with the Golden Age of America upon us, perhaps like never before. May Rob and Michele rest in peace!
WWE has been more open with its support of the current political regime in 2025 compared to previous years. Along with former WWE CEO Linda McMahon being a member of the cabinet as head of education, Paul “Triple H” Levesque has made multiple public appearances at The White House. This has been a change to previous years, which has seen WWE not publicly get involved in politics for fear of alientating viewers who do not share the same view.
While it was rumoured that Trump would be in attendance for John Cena’s last match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13, this did not happen.
Mick Foley Ends Ties With WWE As Company Support For Donald Trump Continues
Since retiring from the ring, Foley has made multiple appearances for WWE as an onscreen authority figure, special guest referee, or as a nostalgia appearance to interact with current talent. Trump has also made multiple appearances for WWE, most notably at WrestleMania 22 when he and Vince McMahon each chose a representative for the “Battle of the Billionaires”, which saw Trump’s representative Bobby Lashley defeat McMahon’s representative Umaga. Due to the stipulation of the match, McMahon was shaved bald afterwards.
Both Foley and Trump were inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the 2013 class.
Featured image: WWE
