Report: Vince McMahon paid $5 million in unrecorded expenses to Donald Trump’s charity
WSJ.com reported on Wednesday that among the $19.6 million in unrecorded company expenses from former WWE chairman Vince McMahon were two donations to Donald Trump’s now-defunct Donald J. Trump Foundation in 2007 and 2009 that totaled to $5 million dollars. Trump made appearances for WWE in those years which included a role in the Battle of the Billionaires match at Wrestlemania 23. In that match, Trump represented Bobby Lashley and McMahon represented Umaga with the losing billionaire (which ended up being McMahon) having his head shaved.
WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt issued a statement to the outlet regarding the matter…
“Mr. Trump and WWE entered into a contract whereby WWE agreed to and did pay him personally an appearance fee of $1 million. At the same time, the McMahons made a personal contribution to the Trump Foundation of $4 million. There was no additional fee paid to Mr. Trump, or any additional contribution to the Trump Foundation, due to the success of the event.”
A source for WSJ also noted the following…
“Mr. Trump directed Mr. McMahon to send a $4 million appearance fee to Mr. Trump’s charity. Mr. Trump had his associates review the contract to ensure that under no circumstances would Mr. McMahon be allowed to shave his head, even if Mr. Trump’s wrestler [Bobby Lashley] dropped dead in the ring.”