Vince McMahon Issues Statement On New Lawsuit Filed By Former WWE Employee

Vince McMahon has responded to the lawsuit filed against himself, John Laurinaitis, and WWE by a former WWE employee, claiming the suit is "replete with lies." 

McMahon, who is the current TKO Executive Chairman of the Board, was accused of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and physical and emotional abuse in a lawsuit filed by Janel Grant. The lawsuit includes accounts of several alleged graphic incidents and a pattern of abuse from McMahon towards Grant that left "Ms. Grant crippled, both physically and mentally, including from debilitating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal ideation."

A spokesperson for McMahon has issued the following statement to Deadline about the lawsuit: "This lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and a vindictive distortion of the truth. He will vigorously defend himself."

TKO had already said: "Mr. McMahon does not control TKO nor does he oversee the day-to-day operations of WWE. While this matter predates our TKO executive team's tenure at the company, we take Ms. Grant's horrific allegations very seriously and are addressing this matter internally."

Janel Grant's lawyer Ann Callis stated on Thursday: "Today's complaint seeks to hold accountable two WWE executives who sexually assaulted and trafficked Plaintiff Janel Grant, as well as the organization that facilitated or turned a blind eye to the abuse and then swept it under the rug. She is an incredibly private and courageous person who has suffered deeply at the hands of Mr. McMahon and Mr. Laurinaitis. Ms. Grant hopes that her lawsuit will prevent other women from being victimized. The organization is well aware of Mr. McMahon's history of depraved behavior, and it's time that they take responsibility for the misconduct of its leadership."

The lawsuit from Grant is just the latest in a long line of legal issues for McMahon. He was initially forced to step away from WWE in the Summer of 2022 amidst a sexual misconduct and hush money scandal during which it emerged that McMahon allegedly paid at least $14.6 million to several women between 2006 and 2022 to suppress allegations of sexual misconduct and infidelity. He also allegedly paid $5 million to the Donald Trump Foundation in relation to the 45th President of the United States' appearances on WWE TV in 2007 and 2009. 

McMahon stepped away after the US Government opened investigations into the payments and those investigations are believed to still be ongoing. Despite the investigations, McMahon forced his way back into WWE in January 2023, restructuring the company's board in order to do so. This led to his election as Executive Chairman and he led a "strategic review" to sell the company. This resulted in WWE merging with UFC under TKO Group Holdings in September 2023.