In the documentary Wrestling With Trump, satirist Munya Chawawa steps into the ring to deliver a powerful critique of Donald Trump's obsession with the world of professional wrestling. The result is a bodyslam of an analysis that reveals how Trump's political style mirrors the tactics of WWE promoters Vince and Linda McMahon.
The Ultimate Showman
Trump, a master showman and billionaire Barnum, uses his platform to entertain, but his insatiable greed pushes him from entertainment into malevolence. Chawawa argues that if Democrats had recognized this earlier and understood the strengths Trump played to and the weaknesses he preyed upon, the political landscape might be different today.
Understanding Kayfabe
Chawawa, a lifelong wrestling fan, explains the concept of kayfabe—the pretense that everything in wrestling is real. This blurring of truth and lies is key to Trump's success. The documentary features interviews with former Trump campaign adviser Sam Nunberg, who confirms that Trump's love of wrestling's combative storylines informed his political approach.
Chawawa meets a wrestler known as Progressive Liberal, who has been so hated for his character that he appears emotionally drained. This unsettling encounter underscores the dangers of kayfabe when applied to politics.
Trash Talk and Hyperbole
Trump's rhetoric, like wrestling's trash talk, divides the world into heroes and villains. Everything is the biggest or the worst, and the crowd is inflamed to commit to the narrative. Chawawa speaks with MAGA supporters who call Trump a "blue collar billionaire" without irony, illustrating the power of his reality-warping abilities.
The Playbook
The documentary traces the playbook Trump uses: hyperbole, smack talk, and kayfabe. Nunberg says politics should be entertaining, but when asked if current politics is the best version, he demurs. Trump, he says, abides by his own code, suggesting more slamming of the body politic to come.
Wrestling With Trump is a punchy, passionate, and weirdly uplifting documentary that offers a fresh perspective on Trump's political theater. It airs on Channel 4 now.
