On December 17, 2025, the world of professional wrestling was rocked by a dramatic announcement: Mick Foley, a Hall of Famer and one of the most beloved figures in the sport’s history, declared he was severing all ties with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). The reason? Foley cited the wrestling giant’s ongoing and, in his view, increasingly problematic relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, a connection that had become impossible for him to overlook after a series of recent events.
Foley, now 60, made his decision public in a heartfelt Instagram post. He explained that his concerns had been mounting for months, particularly in light of the Trump administration’s “cruel and inhumane treatment of immigrants (and pretty much anyone who ‘looks like an immigrant’),” as he put it. But it was President Trump’s remarks following the murders of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner that became, in Foley’s words, “the final straw.”
Rob Reiner, known for classics like All in the Family and The Princess Bride, and his wife Michele were found dead in their Los Angeles home on December 14. Their son, Nick Reiner, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. According to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office, if convicted, Nick could face life in prison without parole or even the death penalty.
Instead of expressing condolences, President Trump took to Truth Social with a post that many, including Foley, found deeply insensitive. Trump described Rob Reiner as “a tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star,” and went on to claim that Reiner’s death was “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.” Trump added, “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.”
For Foley, this was too much. “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, as reported by Global News and Syracuse.com. “I no longer wish to represent a company that coddles a man so seemingly void of compassion as he marches our country towards autocracy.”
Foley, who wrestled under the personas Mankind, Cactus Jack, and Dude Love, has been a fixture in WWE since 1996. His career is legendary—he’s a four-time world champion, known for his willingness to endure extreme punishment in the ring, and his feuds with icons like The Rock, Undertaker, and Stone Cold Steve Austin are still discussed by fans. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013, the same year as Donald Trump, and continued to make appearances as a WWE Legend long after his official retirement.
In his Instagram post, Foley made clear his decision was not made lightly. “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,” he wrote. “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.” He concluded with a nod to Popeye: “But, in the words of Popeye the sailor, ‘I stands all I can stands, and I can’t stands no more.’”
Foley’s statement quickly reverberated through both the wrestling and political communities. Fans and fellow wrestlers debated the intersection of sports entertainment and politics, with some—like legendary manager Jim Cornette—applauding Foley’s stand. “I want to state publicly that while I’ve always liked him, he has just become my favorite person in the world,” Cornette said, according to Syracuse.com. “I wish all the boys had his backbone and, more importantly, his morals.”
WWE’s deep-rooted connection to Donald Trump is no secret. Trump was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame’s celebrity wing in 2013 and has made numerous appearances at WWE events, including famously hosting WrestleMania at Trump Plaza in the late 1980s and participating in the “Battle of the Billionaires” against WWE boss Vince McMahon at WrestleMania 23. The ties extend off-screen as well: Linda McMahon, wife of WWE founder Vince McMahon, has served in Trump’s administration, first as head of the Small Business Administration and, as of 2025, as Secretary of Education. The McMahon family’s involvement in politics has only deepened over the years, with Paul “Triple H” Levesque and Stephanie McMahon visiting the White House as recently as September 2025, and several WWE wrestlers making appearances at Trump rallies.
Foley’s decision to walk away from WWE is all the more significant given his storied history and the affection he still holds for the company. “This is not about demanding WWE change,” Foley clarified in statements referenced by IBTimes. “It’s about what I can—and can’t—stand for personally.” He stressed that his choice was the result of months of reflection, not a sudden impulse, and that it was rooted in his own values rather than an attempt to force WWE’s hand.
The reaction online has been intense. Some wrestling fans have praised Foley for taking a principled stand, while others question whether entertainers should wade into political waters at all. The debate has spilled over into broader discussions about the role of politics in sports entertainment and the responsibilities of public figures in times of national division.
As of December 17, WWE has not issued a formal response to Foley’s announcement. There’s no indication that his departure will affect ongoing programming or the company’s business relationships, but the reputational impact is already being felt. For Foley, the move marks a shift away from corporate affiliations and toward a more independent, advocacy-driven public life.
Looking back, Mick Foley’s career has been defined by both his physical resilience in the ring and his willingness to speak out on issues he believes in. Whether as Mankind, Cactus Jack, or simply as himself, Foley has never shied away from a fight—especially when it comes to standing up for his principles. His decision to leave WWE over its relationship with President Trump is just the latest chapter in a life and career marked by conviction, controversy, and a refusal to back down when it matters most.
