US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Linda McMahon, 76, a former professional wrestling executive, to head the Education Department. This nomination has reignited public interest in Trump’s long-standing connections with McMahon and her husband, Vince McMahon, the chairman of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). The ties between Trump and the McMahons date back decades, further cemented by a series of high-profile WWE events, particularly in the late 1980s and early 2000s.
The WWE Connection: Trump’s Sponsorship of WrestleMania
Trump’s involvement with WWE traces back to the late 1980s when he sponsored two major WWE events: WrestleMania IV and WrestleMania V. Both events were held at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, New Jersey, further solidifying his role in the entertainment industry. These sponsorships laid the groundwork for what would later become a more prominent partnership with WWE and its executives.
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The ‘Battle of Billionaires’: Trump vs. Vince McMahon
One of the most memorable moments in Trump’s WWE journey came during the highly anticipated “Battle of the Billionaires” at WrestleMania 23 in 2007. The spectacle saw Trump and Vince McMahon engage in a staged feud, culminating in a dramatic showdown that played out in front of a record-breaking crowd.
The rivalry began earlier in the year, when Trump made a dramatic entrance by throwing thousands of dollars in cash into the audience during an episode of Raw. The feud reached its peak at WrestleMania 23, where the two billionaires each chose a professional wrestler to represent them. Trump selected Bobby Lashley, while McMahon backed Umaga. The stakes were high: the billionaire whose wrestler lost would have to endure a humiliating head shave in the ring.
A WWE Hall of Fame Moment
Though the physical action in the ring was carried out by Lashley and Umaga, Trump and McMahon also participated in the antics, adding an extra layer of drama to the match. When Lashley defeated Umaga, it was Trump’s moment to shine — and McMahon’s to lose. The WWE Hall of Fame-worthy moment concluded with Trump shaving Vince McMahon’s head in front of thousands of cheering fans, a moment that would be etched in WWE history.
A Record-Breaking WrestleMania
The event itself became one of the most iconic in WWE history, drawing a record crowd of 80,103 fans at Ford Field in Detroit. This turnout exceeded the previous attendance record of 78,129 set during the 2003 college basketball match between Michigan State and Kentucky. The Battle of Billionaires became a cornerstone of WrestleMania 23, with Trump’s larger-than-life persona only adding to the spectacle.
While Linda McMahon’s nomination to lead the Education Department has placed a spotlight on her connection to Trump, it also brings renewed attention to the unique relationship between the future president and the McMahons. From sponsoring WWE events to playing a key role in one of the most memorable storylines in wrestling history, Trump’s involvement with the McMahons has been far from ordinary. As he prepares to assume the highest office in the land, his legacy in the entertainment world, particularly in the WWE, remains a memorable chapter in his career.