Munya Chawawa Announces New Documentary ‘Wrestling With Trump’
“In the past year they have delivered an epic week of Stand Up 2 Cancer programming and Trump v The Truth both for Channel 4. They have recently announced a BBC One feature Kevin Bridges: In Search of the Beautiful Game”
Munya Chawama (left) with WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 08: U.S. President Donald Trump (right) leaves the podium after delivering remarks during a Mother's Day luncheon in the Rose Garden of the White House on May 08, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Trump is hosting Angel Moms and Gold Star Mothers at the White House ahead of the Mother's Day holiday on May 10. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
[Thursday 30th April 2026, London]
Comedian and satirist Munya Chawawa travels to the United States to immerse himself in wrestling and MAGA politics, uncovering the unlikely and surprising link between Donald Trump and the world of body slams and spandex. ‘Wrestling with Trump’ is a bold and often hilarious documentary that sees Chawawa examine the influence that wrestling has had on the American president by meeting WWE wrestlers, Trump sidekicks, and even throwing himself headlong into the ring. The standalone 47-minute documentary is launching on Channel 4 at 10pm on Tuesday 12th May.
Along the way, Chawawa meets a cast of larger-than-life characters from across the world of wrestling and politics. WWF legend, Brutus Beefcake, recalls steak dinners with Trump at WrestleMania, while Marc Copani reflects on portraying a controversial post-9/11 character in WWE. Former campaign advisor Sam Nunberg offers insight into how elements of wrestling performance and showmanship influenced Trump’s political campaigning style, blurring the lines between reality and spectacle.
Chawawa delves deeper, and discovers that the relationship between wrestling and politics stretches far beyond Trump’s presidency. Spending time with a travelling group of independent wrestlers, including ‘Handsome’ Beau James, Chawawa explores the concept of kayfabe – an audience’s deliberate suspension of disbelief for entertainment – and its resonance within American culture. According to James, this deep-rooted acceptance of performance and narrative has long influenced public life, with Trump being just one of many political figures to harness its power whilst campaigning.
Fully committing to the experience, Chawawa undergoes wrestling training, stepping into the ring for a tag team match under the guidance of Beau James and his crew. Through sweat, spectacle and self-discovery, he gains first-hand insight into the physical and psychological demands of the wrestling world.
Ultimately, Chawawa uncovers a deeper and more complex connection between wrestling and politics than he first imagined. As the lines between performance and reality continue to blur, the influence of wrestling on Trump’s rise – and its wider implications for American and global politics – becomes impossible to ignore.
Reflecting on the documentary, Chawawa said: “In 2026, it feels like we’re all living under the enormous, eclipsing shadow of Donald Trump. At every moment of every day, we know what he’s doing, but so often – we’re left asking why. My theory is: wrestling – as in ‘sweaty men in tiny hotpants’ wrestling.”
“This documentary was the ultimate bittersweet adventure that interprets one of the most contentious men on the planet, through the lens of my fondest childhood nostalgia. It’s equal parts crushing and compelling, to know the bodyslams and bombastic smack talk we all enjoyed growing up, may have actually been creating a strategic blueprint for the President of the United States. You have to see it to believe it.”
Shaminder Nahal, Channel 4’s Head of Specialist Factual, commented: “What’s so exciting about this film is the way Munya Chawawa examines Donald Trump through a new and unexpected lens – wrestling – at a time when every day brings dramatic, often shocking world events. With his unique perspective and knowledge, Munya delivers a surprising take on the intersection of politics and popular culture we see today, and in this bold and entertaining film, he uncovers surprising truths about performance, belief and modern political life.”
Iain Wimbush, Executive Producer at Bango Studios, added: “Wrestling, Munya and Trump are an unlikely combination – but a genuinely fascinating one. Uncovering what links them has been a real pleasure – particularly given the passion Munya has for the subject and his dexterity as a documentary maker.”
‘Wrestling with Trump’ is a co-production between Bango Studios and Munz Made It for Channel 4. The Executive Producers are Iain Wimbush and Munya Chawawa, the Director is Daniel Lucchesi and Atalandi Dixon is the Producer. It was commissioned by Channel 4’s Head of Specialist Factual, Shaminder Nahal.
NOTES TO EDITORS
MUNYA CHAWAWA
Munya Chawawa is a comedic trailblazer, blending razor sharp satire with absurdity to expertly dissect political chaos and critique cultural moments. His viral sketches and thought-provoking comedy have amassed millions of followers and over one billion views to date.
His success has seen him transcend into acting (The Sandman, Rye Lane) and presenting (MOBO Awards, BRIT Awards for ITV2) while his unrelenting creativity has helped make his mark on traditional mediums with BBC Radio 4’s ‘Election Doom Scroll’ and Channel 4’s BAFTA nominated How To Survive A Dictator and the follow up How To Survive A Dictator: North Korea. Chawawa also runs Black Boys Theatre Club, a powerful new community-led initiative aimed at opening up the world of theatre to a new generation of young black boys.
Later this year, Chawawa will star in Delia-René Donaldson’s comedy Schooled on Channel 4.
BANGO STUDIOS
The team behind Bango Studios has a reputation for mischief; hijacking news headlines, creating viral noise and bolstering viewership with innovative social promotion. Bango Studios will continue to push a truly 360 approach to promotion; combining social, marketing and conversation while combining remarkable talent with genre-bending formats that have commercial scale and appeal globally.
They create formats that reinvent popular genres and excite buyers, while building long and trusted relationships with the best new and established UK talent in front of and behind the camera.
In the past year they have delivered an epic week of Stand Up 2 Cancer programming and Trump v The Truth both for Channel 4. They have recently announced a BBC One feature Kevin Bridges: In Search of the Beautiful Game.
For their previous production company, collectively the Bango Studios co-founders Emily Hudd and Iain Wimbush amassed 3 BAFTA awards, ten BAFTA nominations, three RTS awards, two Broadcast awards, three Edinburgh TV Awards, a Grierson, a Cannes Lion, a MIPCOM format award, as well as nominated for Best Production Company at the Broadcast Awards.
About The Author
