Mick Foley, wrestling legend, says he's leaving WWE over its ties to President Donald Trump

Wrestling icon Mick Foley has announced plans to sever ties with the WWE over its connections to President Donald Trump.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday morning, Foley said he has been "concerned" about the professional wrestling organization’s "close relationship" with Trump, "especially in light of his administration’s ongoing cruel and inhumane treatment of immigrants (and pretty much anyone who ‘looks like an immigrant’)."

Foley, who grew up in East Setauket and graduated from Ward Melville High School in 1983, called Trump’s comments about the death of actor and director Rob Reiner, who cast wrestler André the Giant in "The Princess Bride," "the final straw."

In a Truth Social post, Trump said Reiner and his wife, Michele, died "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. ... He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump."

They were allegedly killed by their son Nick under circumstances that have no known connection to Trump. Los Angeles prosecutors Tuesday announced plans to charge the couple's son with two counts of first-degree murder.

Foley, a three-time WWE champion known for three personas throughout his wrestling career, said he does not want to "represent a company that coddles a man so seemingly void of compassion as he marches our country towards autocracy."

This announcement could be "a bigger deal" to the WWE "than just a former wrestler leaving," author James Guttman, who has written books and online columns about professional wrestling, told Newsday.

"WWE has done a good job up until now of balancing ... kind of being political, but not putting it on the air," Guttman, 48, of Massapequa, said in a telephone interview. He added that Foley "not just drawing a line in the sand, but pointing it out to everyone, I think might have more of an effect long term for a lot of fans."

In his announcement, Foley added that he will not renew his WWE Legends contract when it expires in June and will no longer appear on behalf of the organization.

"I love WWE, will always treasure my time with them, and I am deeply appreciative for all the opportunities they afforded me," Foley said on Facebook. "But, in the words of Popeye the sailor, ‘I stands all I can stands, and I can’t stands no more.’"

Guttman said Foley's political stance is not surprising as the wrestler has always "skewed liberal," while the professional wrestling world is more "right wing." Guttman said he was surprised, however, "by his willingness" to take a public stand and end his contract. Stepping away from the WWE "machine" means Foley is "giving up a lot of potential dollars and a lot of potential fan appearances," according to the author.

"He's giving up a lot of possibilities, whether it's autograph signings, action figures, video game appearances," Guttman added. A Legends contract means the organization will "remind fans who you are every year ... and it leads to these kids who may not have been around to Foley's run to know who he is."

The White House press office could not be reached by telephone on Tuesday afternoon. The WWE did not immediately return telephone and email requests for comment.

Wrestling legends have lined up on both sides of the ring when it comes to the Trump administration. Six-time world champion Dave Bautista, also known for his high-profile acting career, has been an outspoken opponent.

On the other hand, the late Hulk Hogan was a prominent supporter, making appearances on the campaign trail in 2024. WWE chief content officer Paul Levesque, best known as 14-time champion Triple H, visited The White House multiple times this year, including to mark Trump’s reinstatement of the Presidential Fitness Test in public schools.

Levesque’s wife, Stephanie McMahon, was a fellow wrestler and is the daughter of WWE co-founders Vince and Linda McMahon, the latter of whom serves as Trump’s education secretary.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.