'Final straw': Longtime WWE icon quits over cozy ties to 'incredibly cruel' Trump
A professional wrestling icon is leaving the WWE, citing the organization's longstanding relationship with Donald Trump as his primary motivation, specifically the president's "incredibly cruel" recent comments.
Mick Foley, 60, revealed that he will not pursue a new contract when his current deal expires in June, marking the end of his involvement with the company he joined 30 years ago, The Daily Beast reported on Tuesday.
Foley's ultimate decision was catalyzed by Trump's controversial remarks about the killings of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.
"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."
He elaborated further: "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 expressed gratitude for his tenure, saying, "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.'"
Trump's post about the Reiners included the statement: "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."
Before his announcement, Foley blasted Trump's remarks on Instagram, asking: "How any of my @wwe colleagues can stand by, let alone stand next to this man is beyond me."