It is clear by now that Donald Trump’s career in politics (and even in business) has been as much about spectacle as substance. Away from the bluster of boardrooms and far from the halls of the White House, beyond even the tanned glow of reality TV, Trump found his style in the bright and gaudy world of professional wrestling—specifically the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment).
The brash antics, the cartoonish personalities, and the deliberate fakery of the “sport” impressed itself on Trump from a young age, when he watched shows in Queens. He later signed a deal to have Trump Plaza sponsor WrestleMania, then hosted WWE “smackdowns” and participated in the TV show.
At Wrestlemania XX in 2004, he was interviewed by the retired professional wrestler, Jesse Ventura, who had served as the governor of Minnesota until the year before. Trump promised Ventura his moral and financial support if he were to return to politics. “I think that we may need a wrestler in the White House in 2008,” Ventura claimed. The idea stuck.
WWE provided Trump with a way of being and lessons that he went on to apply to his political campaigns, leadership style, and public persona. This low-art but high-drama entertainment, a potently shallow mixture of theater, influence, and strategy, can tell us a lot about how Trump performs at politics with such effect in today’s America.
As he prepares his return to the Oval Office in January 2025, he is bringing the leadership lessons of wrestling with him. The owner and former CEO of WWE, Linda McMahon has been nominated to lead the Department of Education as part of the incoming administration.
So what can we learn from The Heartbreak Kid, The Undertaker, Andre the Giant and The Champ?
1. Mastering the Art of the Villain (and the Hero)
In WWE, characters often play either heroic “babyfaces” or villainous “heels.” The best wrestlers—who keep audiences invested—are those who flip between roles, creating drama and drawing attention, moving storylines along and eliciting the strong feelings of hatred and sympathy, while keeping things fresh. Trump can do this to a fault.
His rebel, outsider status (however fake), his “it’s us vs. them” rhetoric, his ability to make his followers feel like the good guys locked in a battle against sin and depravity (though, this is also a feature of Democratic politics) mirrors the WWE’s storylines which hype good versus evil. And who can forget his timeless (and stunningly true) lines:
“I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn’t lose any voters, OK? It’s, like, incredible.”
Trump, like the most masterful wrestler-actors, can even turn being the villain into being the hero.
2. Building Celebrity
In WWE, a wrestler’s invented “identity” or “brand” is crucial to their success. Superstars like Hulk Hogan, The Rock, and Stone Cold Steve Austin didn’t just win matches, they cultivated larger-than-life personas that resonated with audiences. These personas were exaggerated, story-like, and crafted for maximum emotional impact.
From the WWE ring to running for office, Trump leaned into a brash, unapologetic, macho, tycoon persona. The more this appealed to viewers, the more unapologetic he became. Applause dictated how Trump behaved, ahead of abstract notions such as civility, law, and decorum. It won him the presidency, twice.
3. Harnessing Conflict to Generate Attention
Professional wrestling thrives on conflict and drama, exaggeration and stakes. These things keep stories moving. Every storyline, every match, and every rivalry is designed to build tension, and conflict is a powerful way to achieve this.
Trump thrives in chaos and conflict. He uses conflict to generate attention and energize his base. It is often his first reaction. He has leveraged conflict to remove enemies, deflect blame, and draw roars of support. It has kept him in the headlines and shaped national (and even global) conversation. His confrontations with the media, politicians, and even global leaders (featuring many wrestling staples such as trash talk, vendettas, nicknames, all played out in the public) serve as a part of his own high drama.
What is the US presidency now if not the greatest act on earth?
4. The Power of the Spectacle
WWE is often described as “sports entertainment” rather than traditional wrestling because of its focus on spectacle and performance (the willing suspension of disbelief in the fake, known as “kayfabe” in the industry, allows for the enjoyment of the entire spectacle). Trump, too, understands at a deep level power of the spectacle in modern society.
From his grandiose rallies to his use of social media as a platform for controversial statements, Trump’s approach to leadership is one that thrives on high drama, spectacle, and the ability to captivate an audience. His political career has been as much about creating a show, and asking audiences to buy in as a means to an end (as well as to enjoy the show) as it has been about policy.
This affinity for spectacle is evident in Trump’s hosting of WWE events and his long-standing relationship with Vince McMahon, the co-founder of WWE. The two share a penchant for dramatic flair and self-promotion, with McMahon famously referring to Trump as a “showman” and “genius.” For Trump, rallies and speeches and his demeanour provide a show, with the stakes ramped up for maximum effect so that everything seems a part of a more monumental project, as well as providing entertainment to his audience, also.
5. The Role of the “Manager” and the Importance of Loyal Allies
In WWE, managers are figures who play a key role in a wrestler’s success by offering advice, strategic direction, and support during matches. Often, these figures are loud, colorful characters who help build the narrative around the wrestler they represent. In his political life, Trump has similarly surrounded himself with loyal allies—figures like his sons, campaign managers, and advisors—who are likely to remain loyal due to their investment in the figure.
Anyone with the slightest hint of disloyalty is removed. Trump has built relationships with Vince McMahon and Linda McMahon, who became allies during his presidential campaign, completing the sense that politics is now wrestling.
Wrestling with the Truth
Donald Trump’s leadership style has been shaped by his exposure to the spectacle and dramatics of pro wrestling. By blending WWE-inspired storytelling with real-world politics, he has created an approach to the world that muddles truth and keeps audiences—whether fans or critics—engaged, confused, and invested.
The lessons Trump took from the WWE have proven to be an indelible part of his brand, and the WWE playbook – full as it is with soap opera and chokeslam – will be a part of his next presidency.
By, Thomas Willis
Interested in this topic? You might also like this…