Jesse Ventura questions Donald Trump’s WWE Hall of Fame induction
Donald Trump’s place in the WWE Hall of Fame is facing renewed criticism after fellow inductee Jesse Ventura argued the U.S. president should not be included among wrestling’s honorees, in comments highlighted by GiveMeSport.
Ventura, inducted in 2004, made the remarks during an appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored, where a conversation about wrestling shifted to Trump’s long-standing ties to the company.
“Trump being a Hall of Famer is a tragedy. This guy has never been in the ring,” Ventura said. “I got a good friend, Ken Patera… 25 years in the wrestling business. Kenny Patera is not in the Hall of Fame. Donald Trump does not belong in the wrestling Hall of Fame.”
WWE inducted Trump into its Celebrity Wing in 2013, a category the company uses to recognize public figures who have contributed to its mainstream visibility. According to WWE, Trump was involved in several high-profile events during his association with the promotion.
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Two WrestleMania events in the late 1980s were hosted at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, and he later appeared on-screen during WrestleMania 23 as part of a widely publicized storyline. In that event, Bobby Lashley defeated Umaga in a match tied to a “Battle of the Billionaires” angle involving Trump and then-WWE chairman Vince McMahon.
Ventura, however, said those appearances do not justify Hall of Fame recognition, especially when some long-serving wrestlers remain excluded.
A prominent figure in wrestling during the 1970s and 1980s, Ventura later became a commentator known for his outspoken style. His relationship with McMahon eventually broke down amid disputes over unionization efforts and a legal fight over licensing rights, which Ventura won before leaving the company.
During the interview, host Piers Morgan noted that both Ventura and Trump transitioned from wrestling into politics. Ventura, who served as governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003, rejected the comparison.
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He also made an additional claim about Trump’s induction, suggesting it was linked to Trump’s relationship with McMahon. Ventura did not provide evidence to support the allegation.
“I was the former Governor of Minnesota. I'm the only real former wrestler. I don't include him,” Ventura said. “He's only in the Hall of Fame because he stopped an investigation against Vince McMahon [for] sexual stuff.”
There is no publicly available evidence supporting that claim. McMahon resigned from WWE in January 2024 following multiple sexual misconduct and hush money controversies, which have been widely reported.
Debate over WWE’s Celebrity Wing has surfaced periodically, with critics questioning how non-wrestling figures are selected compared with career performers. Others argue the category reflects the company’s broader entertainment focus.
Trump remains listed as a Hall of Fame inductee. WWE has continued to expand the celebrity category, with former NBA player Dennis Rodman announced as part of the Class of 2026.
Sources: GiveMeSport, WWE, Piers Morgan Uncensored
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