Hulk Hogan and Donald Trump's friendship from president getting schooled in ring to WWE superstar ripping shirt at RNC
The two developed a tight bond throughout wild adventures from the president getting schooled in the wrestling ring to the WWE star ripping his shirt and yelling, "Let Trumpamania run wild, brother!"
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On Thursday morning, Hogan went into cardiac arrest while at his $11.5 million estate in south Florida. He was rushed to the hospital by first responders and declared dead.
His death came after years of health struggles brought on by decades of intense weight lifting and sparring in the ring.
In May, he had a "fusion" neck surgery, but quickly got back to work one day later.
Just weeks before he collapsed, Hogan was in the hospital, but his wife Sky quashed rumors that his health was failing and said that his heart was "strong."
Most fans know Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, for being a wrestling legend who earned tons of championship titles and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice.
However, in recent years, voters may have seen him crop up more at Trump rallies and, just about a year ago, give a fiery speech at the Republican National Convention.
In his jaw-dropping address, Hogan called the president the "toughest of them all" and said he was looking forward to four more years of a MAGA-run White House.
"As an entertainer, I try to stay out of politics," said Hogan.
"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."
Hogan called Trump a "real American hero" and told viewers that he was proud to support the candidate for another term.
WWE legend Ric Flair leads tributes to 'close friend' Hulk Hogan who has died aged 71
"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.
The wrestling legend ended his speech by ripping off a black sleeveless t-shirt and revealing a Trump Vance 2024 shirt underneath as the president watched on and smiled.
In his emotional tribute, Trump remembered this speech, calling it "electric" as he mourned his "great friend."
"Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way - Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart," he wrote in a Truth Social post.
"He entertained fans from all over the world, and the cultural impact he had was massive [...] Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!"
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HOGAN PRAISES TRUMP
Hogan said that he "learned a lot" from watching Trump in an episode of PBD Podcast that was recorded just months before his death.
The wrestler described the president as "personable," and fondly remembered the time Trump went head-to-head against WWE co-founder Vince McMahon for WrestleMania 23.
Trump and McMahon each sponsored a wrestler for the event and made a bet that whoever lost the match would have to get their head shaved.
McMahon ended up losing, so Trump brought clippers and a razor into the ring and shaved the founder's head as he screamed to the crowd.
Hogan admired the future president for taking the bit even further, as he actually agreed to take part in some wrestling action.
"We wanted a little something extra out of Trump," said Hogan.
Hogan said that they asked if WWE star "Stone Cold" Steve Austin could kick Trump in the belly after the shaving stunt, and Trump said, "Oh, no problem."
Hulk Hogan career timeline
1977: Made his professional wrestling debut.
1979: Joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) and gained recognition.
1982: Appeared as "Thunderlips" in the film Rocky III, significantly boosting his mainstream exposure.
1984: Defeated The Iron Sheik to win his first WWF Championship, ushering in the "Hulkamania" era.
1985: Main evented the first-ever WrestleMania, teaming with Mr. T against Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff.
1987: Slammed Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III in one of wrestling's most iconic moments.
1993: Departed WWF for World Championship Wrestling (WCW).
1996: Shocked the wrestling world by turning heel and forming the New World Order (nWo) with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash at Bash at the Beach, becoming "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan.
2001: Returned to WWE after WCW was acquired.
2002: Had a memorable match against The Rock at WrestleMania X8.
2005: Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
2005-2007: Starred in the reality TV show "Hogan Knows Best."
2012: Had his last official televised match for TNA Impact, though he made sporadic appearances in WWE afterward.
2020: Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame for a second time as a member of the nWo.
Hogan also remembered when he first met Trump after they rented out a Trump Plaza hotel for a wrestling event in 1987.
He said that he was struck by how humble and friendly Trump was when they first met, and how the billionaire stuck around to watch nearly all of the matches.
"He came to the back, met all the wrestlers, just sat down, started talking to us," Hogan said.
"He's the same guy now that he was back then; he hasn't changed a bit. He's just a really quality person."
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REPUBLICAN TURN
Hogan admitted that he was a staunch Obama supporter before making a shocking u-turn to the GOP in 2011 over a petty issue.
The wrestler explained that he was soured by the Democrat leader when Obama used his song Real American for his entrance at that year's White House Correspondents' Dinner.
'I kind of was a little upset that he didn't ask me permission to use my music,' Hogan said in a 2011 interview with Fox and Friends.
'I was a big Obama supporter and kinda, like, believed everything he said he was gonna do,' Hogan said.
Hulk Hogan tributes
Tributes have poured in for Hulk Hogan following his death at 71 years old.
"When I nearly lost my dad 8 years ago, one of the few people who was there for all of it was Hulk Hogan. My heart breaks for Nick and Brooke. Rest in peace, brother." - Charlotte Flair
"Saddened To Hear About The Passing of Hulk Hogan…I Guess God Needed An Incredible Angel. R.I.P. My Friend." - Sergeant Slaughter
"He Was One Of The First To Visit Me When I Was In The Hospital With A 2% Chance Of Living, And He Prayed By My Bedside. Hulk Also Lent Me Money When Reid Was Sick. Hulkster, No One Will Ever Compare To You! Rest In Peace My Friend!" - Ric Flair
"WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. 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." - WWE
"R.I.P to a legend. HULK HOGAN." - Donald Trump Jr.
"Hulk Hogan was a great American icon. One of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid. The last time I saw him we promised we'd get beers together next time we saw each other. The next time will have to be on the other side, my friend! Rest in peace." - Vice President JD Vance
The WWE star went on to endorse Mitt Romney for the 2012 election, and he wanted Americans to have a "fresh start."
After his death, Vice President JD Vance deemed Hogan a "great American icon and said he was "one of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid."
"The last time I saw him we promised we'd get beers together next time we saw each other," Vance said.
"The next time will have to be on the other side, my friend! Rest in peace."
Police statement on Hulk Hogan's death
Clearwater Fire Department and Clearwater Police Department personnel responded to a medical call at 9:51 a.m. today in the 1000 block of Eldorado Avenue on Clearwater Beach. The nature of the call was for a cardiac arrest. A 71-year-old resident, Terry Bollea, also known as Hulk Hogan, was treated by Clearwater Fire & Rescue crews before being taken by Sunstar to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
A media briefing will be at 1:30 p.m. at Clearwater Police Department headquarters, 645 Pierce St. Some parking is available east of the building; additional parking is in the old fire station parking lot just west of police headquarters.
The briefing is being held at the police department in an attempt to protect the privacy of the family. Any media compelled to respond to the scene should park in the rear of the Carlouel Yacht Club, 1091 Eldorado Ave. The staging area is located at Eldorado and Bay Esplanade.
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With ongoing military escalation and divergent American and European approaches, a lasting peace deal appears distant.
