WWE News: Former WWE CEO Linda McMahon Accused of Plagiarism

In 2009, Linda McMahon left the WWE and the family business. 

The former WWE President and CEO parted ways with her husband’s company in order to make the ever-so-interesting jump from professional wrestling to the world of politics. 

McMahon ran for Connecticut’s seat in the United States Senate in 2010, but lost to Richard Blumenthal in the general election. That wouldn’t keep McMahon down, though, as she’s once again running for the US Senate in 2012. 

But things aren’t going too well for McMahon, who now finds herself in hot water as she has been accused of plagiarizing an op-ed that she’s come out with during her campaign trail. 

From SEScoops.com: 

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In the piece, which can be read at CTNewsJunkie.com, McMahon writes the following about of TransCanada’s pipeline: 

“Keystone XL stands ready to put some 13,000 Americans to work to construct the actual pipeline. These would be pipefitters, welders, mechanics, electricians, and heavy equipment operators, among others.” 

Compare McMahon’s quote to the following text from the TransCanada website: 

“TransCanada is poised to put 13,000 Americans to work to construct the pipeline — pipefitters, welders, mechanics, electricians, heavy equipment operators, among other jobs.” 

McMahon also wrote: 

“Another 7,000 manufacturing jobs would be created across the U.S. What’s more, thousands of additional spin-off jobs likely would be created by the increased demand for local goods and services along the pipeline route.” 

Compare that with what’s on the TransCanada site: 

“… in addition to 7,000 manufacturing jobs that would be created across the U.S. Additionally, local businesses along the pipeline route will benefit from the 118,000 spin-off jobs Keystone XL will create through increased business for local goods and service providers.” 

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You learn in grammar school what plagiarism is, and I don’t know about you, but that sure looks like plagiarism to me. 

One of the biggest challenges a writer has is putting someone else’s words into their own, and clearly, McMahon struggled mightily with that here. Regardless, McMahon’s people are sticking by her side. 

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McMahon’s office on Tuesday defended the language: 

“These are factual statements widely used by advocates for the Pipeline,” said McMahon spokeswoman Erin Isaac via email to HuffingtonPost.com. “In researching the project and arguments both for and against it, the most compelling language revolves around job creation. These stats are repeated by respected industry experts and across multiple sources including TransCanada’s website, which we should have cited in our piece. Ultimately, this project represents thousands of jobs and it remains unacceptable that this administration would continue to put up roadblocks when millions of Americans are still looking for work.” 

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OK, Linda. It’s time to give it up and admit that you copied someone else’s work almost word-for-word. 

Of course, that would be a dagger in your political career, but at least you’d be able to sleep at night, knowing that you did the right thing. 

Plus, your political career has played a huge factor in the WWE going (and staying) PG, and if you stop trying to win a spot in the US Senate every two years, then maybe we can get that TV-14 rating back and infuse some edginess back into the WWE product. 

It’s a win-win situation for all involved. Well, except for you, I guess.

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