7 Reasons Donald Trump On WWE SmackDown Would Be A Huge Mistake
Rumored ratings grab with president could backfire spectacularly.
Unless you’ve been living in a bubble the last several weeks, you’ve heard the rumors that FOX wants something big to jolt the debut episode of SmackDown’s ratings when the show debuts this fall on the network.
While they are looking for ratings, sadly, the network is potentially falling back on a WWE Hall of Famer who might generate a lot more than that. Word is FOX is looking at none other than President Donald Trump to appear on SmackDown’s debut episode on the network.
It’s understandable why FOX – and even WWE – might want the incumbent president to appear on WWE’s blue brand this fall. After all, he is the president, so having him appear on your show would immediately make it must-see television. Die-hard fans, as well as casual viewers, would likely tune in to see what the president would say on live TV, not to mention the attraction of what would happen on WWE programming, with all the various characters who could interact with him.
But there are several reasons why this could backfire, not just for WWE, but for the office of the president. Before this train leaves the station and plans run away from us, we should lock down why this is a bad idea, and why WWE would be smart to walk away from it before it becomes a serious problem.
Let’s get to it…
(Fair warning: This writer is no fan of the president, but this column is intended to be as level as possible.)
7. Degrading The Office
Say what you will about the current occupant of the White
House, but there typically is a feeling of respect that should be bestowed upon
the presidency and the office itself. We should not see the president engaged
in cheap, tabloid-like situations in his/her official capacity.
In this case, having the president appear on WWE programming, even if it’s simply to issue a statement of support for the wrestling company (itself a problem when you consider the legality of endorsing a private product), could be seen as lowering the office of the president.
In defense of that, President Nixon appeared on ‘Laugh In’ more than 50 years ago, albeit just before he was elected president. And all three main presidential candidates appeared on a 2008 episode of Raw (via taped segments), although they showed up to encourage people to vote in the upcoming elections. And then-Vice President Biden appeared on episodes of ‘Parks and Recreation’ in 2012 and 2015.
But a sitting president being used as a ratings grab for a show’s debut on a new network? It’s so transparent that it should sound like a non-starter, but when has something like that dissuaded this administration?