How pro-wrestling shaped Trump
April 4, 2026
15 min
1870
Full
1,952 of 2,041
Episode 1870 · April 4, 2026
How pro-wrestling shaped Trump
0:00 / 15:19
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The Messy Conservatives Episodes Around April 4, 2026
Episode 1,952 of 2,041 — walk the feed in the order it was published.
15:19This episodeHow pro-wrestling shaped Trump
Summary
<p>In 2007, future United States president Donald Trump stepped into the wrestling ring for a showdown with Vince McMahon, then head of World Wrestling Entertainment and Trump’s close friend.</p> <p>Trump played the villain perfectly.</p> <p>For decades now, Trump has been shaped by a love affair with professional wrestling. It taught him how to control and manipulate a crowd, how to speak, and how to respond to criticism.</p> <p>It also shaped his cabinet, with Trump appointing Linda McMahon, Vince’s ex-wife, to the position of secretary of education.</p> <p>Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper Joseph Earp on how Donald Trump brought the art of pro-wrestling to politics.</p> <p> </p> <p>If you enjoy <em>7am</em>, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Socials:</strong><strong> </strong>Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a></p> <p><strong>Guest:</strong> Journalist and author, Joseph Earp.</p> <p><strong>Photo: </strong>AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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