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McMahon in political ring

Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who shook up Connecticut with two expensive and contentious, yet unsuccessful U.S. Senate races, has jumped into a larger political ring, becoming a sought-after Republican mega donor who's involved in campaigns across the country, including the battle for president.

During this year's campaign cycle, McMahon has attended the Republican National Convention and been a frequent guest at fundraisers for federal candidates, rubbing elbows with top GOP leaders like House Speaker Paul Ryan. She recently held a fundraiser at her Greenwich, Connecticut, home for Arizona Sen. John McCain, who had stumped for the former CEO of WWE during her 2010 and 2012 Senate campaigns.

McMahon also hosted an event for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, her admitted top choice in the Republican primary. Records show she contributed $550,000 to America Leads, a super PAC that supported Christie's candidacy.

McMahon, 67, who has focused a lot of her efforts on helping Republican women get elected, said the impetus for this new phase of her political life mirrors why she first ran for the U.S. Senate.

The Center for Responsive Politics ranks McMahon and her husband Vince — the current CEO of WWE, formerly known as World Wrestling Entertainment — as 78th among the so-called "mega donors" contributing in this election cycle to outside spending groups, such as super PACs, spending $1.17 million so far. 

The grandmother of six, who spent a total of approximately $100 million on her two Senate races, said she's responsible for much of the political contributions, acknowledging her husband "wants no part of it."

McMahon has known the GOP presidential nominee, Donald Trump, for 30 years. Trump famously shaved Vince McMahon's head in 2007 during a WWE match titled "Battle of the Billionaires."

While not her first choice for president, she is strong supporter today, predicting he'll be a good president who will surround himself with competent people. She credits him with becoming "a vessel that has housed this anger and this dissatisfaction" in the country, which she said has intensified since she first ran for office.



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