Cornette had previously described himself as a Democrat and acknowledged having voted for Obama in the 2008 presidential election. Cornette, inversely, is a fierce critic of right-wing politics, condemning what he considers "fearmongering" from the Republican Party as well as controversially labeling former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as "a useless twat." During the time that Donald Trump was President, Cornette frequently referred to Trump on his podcasts as "President Pigshit" and to Trump's wife Melania as "Melanoma" and "The First Cunt". His political beliefs and statements have earned him attention from the non-professional wrestling media, including an appearance on Internet news show The Young Turks. On December 17, 2017, Cornette stated that he is a democratic socialist. In March 2018, Cornette voiced his support for the March for Our Lives rally; he made additional statements advocating for gun control and criticizing the National Rifle Association of America. Cornette is an atheist and is highly critical of religion. Cornette has a criminal record which includes a number of assaults, mostly stemming from incidents involving fights with fans who attacked him while he was a manager in the 1980s. The record has made it difficult for him to work in Canada, and he was turned away from the Canadian border in November 2010. Then Knox County, Tennessee, mayor Tim Burchett declared November 17, 2014 "Jim Cornette Day" during a Southeastern Championship Wrestling taping in Knoxville. Awards and accomplishments The Baltimore Sun Non-Wrestler of the Year (2007) Cauliflower Alley Club Other honoree (1997) Iconic Heroes Wrestling Excellence Southern Wrestling Hall of Fame (2015) Memphis Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2017 National Wrestling Alliance NWA Hall of Fame (Class of 2005) New England Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2015 Pro Wrestling Illustrated Manager of the Year (1985, 1993, 1995) Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum Class of 2012 World Wrestling Federation Slammy Award (2 times) Best Dressed (1994) Blue Light Special for Worst Dresser (1996) Wrestling Observer Newsletter Best Booker (1993, 2001, 2003) Best Non-Wrestler (2006) Best on Interviews (1985–1988, 1993) Manager of the Year (1984–1990, 1992–1996) Best Pro Wrestling Book (2009) Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996) Bibliography Jim Cornette Presents: Behind the Curtain — Real Pro Wrestling Stories (2019) Tuesday Night at the Gardens (2015) Rags, Paper and Pins: The Merchandising of Memphis Wrestling (2013) The Midnight Express & Jim Cornette 25th Anniversary Scrapbook (2009)