How Hulk Hogan came to endorse Trump in 2024
About a year ago, wrestling legend Hulk Hogan gave a rousing speech in support of Donald Trump on the final night of the Republican National Convention.
"At the end of the day, with our leader up there, my hero, that gladiator, we're going to bring America back together one real American at a time, brother," Hogan said as Trump watched on from his seat in the audience.
Hogan, a two-time WWE Hall of Famer whose real name is Terry Bollea, died on Thursday at the age of 71.
"WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away," the company said. "One of pop culture's most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan's family, friends, and fans."
Trump issued a statement on Hogan's death on his conservative social media platform.
"We lost a great friend today, the 'Hulkster.' Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way -- Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart. He gave an absolutely electric speech at the Republican National Convention, that was one of the highlights of the entire week," Trump wrote.
"He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive. To his wife, Sky, and family, we give our warmest best wishes and love. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!" the president added.
Hogan didn't publicly endorse Trump until the convention, citing the assassination attempt against Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, as the reason for his announcement.
"As an entertainer, I try to stay out of politics," Hogan said at the convention, which took place days after the Butler shooting. "But after everything that's happened to our country over the past four years, and everything that happened last weekend, I can no longer stay silent."
"I'm here tonight because I want the world to know that Donald Trump is a real American hero, and I'm proud to support my hero as the next president of this United States," Hogan added in his remarks, noting the two had known each other for decades. (Trump hosted two early WrestleManias in the late 1980s.)
Hailing what he dubbed "Trumpmania," Hogan memorably ripped his shirt in half to reveal a red Trump-Vance tank top to deafening cheers in the Milwaukee stadium.
Trump, a well-known fan of professional wrestling, praised Hogan for the speech.
Hogan later supported Trump again on the campaign trail at a rally at Madison Square Garden just weeks before Election Day.
A popular shirt featured at campaign rallies was the "Trumpmania" running wild shirt, inspired by the wrestler.
While Hogan became a favorite of the MAGA base, his own political history is mixed. He supported Barack Obama in the 2008 election, but later changed his tune. In the 2012 election, Hogan supported Republican Mitt Romney over the incumbent Democrat.
Donald Trump Jr., the president's son, quickly posted a tribute to Hogan on X with a photo of the two of them at the RNC. "R.I.P to a legend," Trump Jr. wrote.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon, the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, said she knew and worked with Hogan "for over 40 years."
"Hulk was a dear friend and member of our WWE family," McMahon wrote in a post on X. "His legacy in and out of the ring will always be remembered. He was one of a kind!"
