THERE are striking similarities between the unlikely rise and epic falls of Donald Trump and Vince McMahon.
Both heirs to difficult fathers, the billionaires became two of the most powerful people in America on the back of glorifying violence and playing to the lowest prejudices of their audiences.
As Trump rose to become the US president and McMahon the all-powerful CEO of WWE, the pair became the best of friends and staunch business allies.
Born just one year apart, they were so close that Trump shaved the WWE boss's head completely bald in the ring at WrestleMania 23 in 2007.
And when McMahon was 'killed' in a limousine explosion as part of a wrestling storyline, Trump called up McMahon's office and asked if "something happened to Vince."
Trump, who hosted WrestleMania IV and V in 1988 and 1989, remains the only US president inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
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They are also linked through McMahon’s wife Linda, who was appointed by Trump as the head of the Small Business Administration during his presidency.
McMahon is said to be one of the only people whose calls Trump takes in private.
Brazen and brash in their personalities, Trump and McMahon have thrived in their respective careers despite all the lawsuits and bad press that have come their way.
But now after their Battle of the Billionaires at WrestleMania 23, Trump and McMahon are simultaneously battling a series of political, legal and financial issues.
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Within two days of each other last week, McMahon was hit with a federal grand jury subpoena and search warrant, while Trump was indicted by a federal grand jury on serious charges related to his efforts to reverse his loss in the 2020 presidential election.
When it was announced McMahon’s federal investigation had escalated, some wondered whether it had something to do with his closeness to Trump.
The former president has been charged with four counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights.
If found guilty of all counts, Trump faces a maximum combined sentence of 55 years in jail.
The charges are directly connected to the 45th president's alleged involvement in the events at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Trump is also facing charges in a separate case brought by special counsel Jack Smith, where he's accused of mishandling national secret documents after leaving the White House in 2021.
In New York, the former president was charged by a Manhattan district judge in connection with hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
Trump has pleaded not guilty in all the cases.
Meanwhile, a search warrant was recently executed on McMahon in response to numerous alleged payments being made amid accusations by multiple women of sexual misconduct.
In an SEC filing, the WWE stated it "has received voluntary and compulsory legal demands for documents, including from federal law enforcement and regulatory agencies, concerning the investigation and related subject matters."
It was also revealed by the WWE that McMahon "has paid approximately $17.4million to reimburse the Company for costs that have been incurred and paid by the Company," in relation to an investigation being run by the WWE into his alleged misconduct.
Charges have reportedly not been filed against McMahon, who is planning to fight the allegations.
This comes just seven months after he returned to the role of executive chairman, having previously stepped aside for six months.
His abrupt retirement came after an investigation into claims that he paid a former employee $3million to keep their alleged affair quiet.
In early 2022, non-disclosure agreements were found involving misconduct claims made by female ex-WWE employees against McMahon and the former head of talent relations, John Laurinaitis.
He handed the reins to his daughter Stephanie who took on the roles of interim CEO and chairwoman of the WWE.
Meanwhile, her husband and wrestling legend Paul Levesque, aka Triple H, took over as chief content officer.
Shortly after McMahon returned to the WWE, the organization announced its intention to merge with the UFC's parent company Endeavor.
Once completed, this merger will result in a company worth $21billion.
Both Trump and McMahon have made a habit of bouncing back from defeat as they made their fortunes.
According to speculation on social media, Trump has considered naming McMahon as his running mate for the US presidential election.
But sources have told The U.S. Sun that there is no truth to the rumors about the WWE executive chairman appearing as vice presidential candidate on the Trump ticket.
The source said: “Vince has aspirations to remain within WWE once the merger happens, not head out to Washington for a political future.
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“He’s proud to have built the company up and remains excited to play a role in its development.
"That has made him more determined to fight for his innocence."
