WWE Smackdown: Trump’s Wrestling Buds Back Christie’s Super PAC

Wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin, center, watches closely as Vince McMahon, right, World Wrestling Entertainment president, pushes on the nose of Donald Trump, real estate magnate and star of the reality series "The ... Wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin, center, watches closely as Vince McMahon, right, World Wrestling Entertainment president, pushes on the nose of Donald Trump, real estate magnate and star of the reality series "The Apprentice," as they face off during a press conference in New York, Wednesday March 28, 2007. Trump and McMahon will each have a wrestler respresent them in the "Battle of the Billionaires" match at WrestleMania 23 next Sunday, which Austin will referee. Either Trump or McMahon will have his hair shaved off completely bald by the other should his wrestler lose. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) MORE LESS
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Apparently an induction into pro-wrestling’s preeminent hall of fame will only get you so far.

Despite Donald Trump’s longstanding relationship with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) CEO Vince McMahon, McMahon’s wife Linda appears to be backing the presidential efforts of one of Trump’s rivals. Politico reports that Linda McMahon donated $250,000 to America Leads, the super PAC supporting New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R).

For a quarter-century, Trump has played a prominent role in the McMahons’ professional wrestling empire. He has hosted events at his venues and appeared in the ring. In 2013, he earned membership in the WWE Hall of Fame. However, this is not the first time Trump’s unconventional brand of politics has been at odds with what otherwise has been a lucrative relationship.

In 2012, when Linda McMahon was running for a U.S. Senate seat, her campaign attempted to deny she had donated to Trump’s charity in a move to distance her from the Obama “birther” theory Trump was trumpeting at the time.

Nevertheless, in the 2014 cycle, the McMahons showed a willingness to spread their wealth around, donating millions of dollars to various GOP candidates, party committees, and super PACs. A super PAC has been formed to support Trump, however the billionaire has signaled he is willing to finance his own White House run.

“I don’t need anybody’s money. I’m using my own money … I’m really rich,” Trump said in his campaign announcement speech.

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