Hulk Hogan and Donald Trump's friendship from president getting schooled in ring to WWE superstar ripping shirt at RNC
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
DONALD Trump has memorialized his close friend and fellow patriot Hulk Hogan, who made a wild transformation from Barack Obama supporter to MAGA loyalist before his sudden death at 71.
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!"
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
8
Donald Trump and Hulk Hogan developed a tight-knit friendship before the WWE star's sudden death
Credit: X/DanScavino
8
Hogan and fellow wrestler Andre the Giant met at a wrestling match hosted at a Trump Plaza in 1987
Credit: Alamy
8
Last year, Hogan brought down the house when he ripped his shirt during a speech at the Republican National Convention
Credit: Getty
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."
more on hulk hogan
INCREDIBLE HULK How Hulk Hogan single-handedly made wrestling a multi-billion behemoth
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!"
8
Hogan said he fondly remembered Trump taking part in WrestleMania 23
Credit: YouTube/WWE
8
Trump is a massive wrestling fan and befriended Hogan before he ran for office
Credit: Getty
8
In October, Hogan came to a Trump event at Madison Square Garden in New York City
Credit: AP
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."
8
Hogan and his wife chatted with the Trump family at the RNC
Credit: Getty
8
Trump took part in a WWE tournament one year
Credit: YouTube/WWE
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."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
17 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Army chief Lord Peter Inge famous for ‘putting the fear of God' into officers leaves staggering sum to family in will
Lord Inge's daughters also get their South London-born dad's vast collection of military memorabilia HUGE FORTUNE Ex-Army chief Lord Peter Inge famous for 'putting the fear of God' into officers leaves staggering sum to family in will Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMER Army chief Lord Peter Inge left £3million in his will. Lord Inge died in July 2022, aged 86, after a five-decade career in which he rose from National Service conscript to Field Marshal. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up He was the last Field Marshal to actively serve in the Army, with those since elevated to the highest rank, including King Charles, only done so after their retirement. Lord Inge was famous for putting the fear of God into other senior officers with cutting remarks and incisive questions. He was appointed Chief of the General Staff in 1992, then Chief of the Defence Staff in 1994. Lord Inge later became a fierce critic of the British campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan and blasted the Ministry of Defence for failing to 'think strategically'. The South London-born officer took the top Armed Forces job after his predecessor was caught having an affair with a Tory MPs wife, and while British forces were struggling in Bosnia. Sir John Major's Conservative government had also pledged to further slash the size of the Army – with Inge under pressure to accept fresh cuts. The no-nonsense officer led forces through the conflict and was reportedly 'delighted' to come under mortar fire during a ride around Saravejo in a French armoured SUV. After being elevated to the House of Lords, Lord Inge of Richmond, Yorks., became a vocal critic of further plans to cut the Army. He left £3,167,854 in his estate, reduced by £150,000 after deductions. His wife Letitia died in 2020 so it was divided between daughters Antonia, 63, and Verity, 59. They also get their South London-born dad's vast collection of military memorabilia, farm estate in Leyburn, North Yorks, and central London flat.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Trump border chief piles on Democrat for 'disgusting' foreign allegiance as she remains silent
Donald Trump 's Border Czar Tom Homan piled onto the slew of attacks being launched at controversial Democrat Delia Ramirez. Illinois Rep. Ramirez stated during a press conference in Mexico over the weekend that she was 'a proud Guatemalan before I'm an American.' That comment sparked ire from several Republicans in the MAGA wing of the party, as President Donald Trump pushes his 'American First' vision worldwide. Homan became the latest high-profile Republican to condemn Ramirez's remarks. 'I think what she said was commitment should be to her state and the people that put her in that position' Homan said at the White House. Tennessee Republican Representative Andy Ogles wrote on X 'Denaturalize, deport, and kick her off [the] Homeland Committee. We know where her allegiances lie.' The Department of Homeland Security's official X account responded to the video of Ramirez's statement by posting a Theodore Roosevelt quote about American allegiance and condemning divided loyalties. Homan also took some time during his Wednesday presser to decry the false narratives that have been reported about 'Alligator Alcatraz,' the Florida facility where illegal migrants are being housed while they await deportation. Reports have surfaced about inhumane treatment at the facility, and unjust conditions. Homan said that such reporting was false. 'I get asked these questions all the time about the terrible, terrible 'Alligator Alcatraz.' I went down there, and what I found out is there's a lot of fake stories out there about medical attention, about, you know, religious freedom and having clergy there. I went down there, I looked at the books. So it's just simply a false story,' Homan told reporters. Homan also dismissed concerns about the environmental impact of the facility. 'So all you know, they take waste out of there every day,' Homan noted, further adding that not 'one foot of concrete' was put down that 'wasn't already there.' Finally, Trump's border czar called out one group of individuals who he believes keep getting in the way of the administration moving forward with their agenda: 'I'm sick and tired of the radical judges trying to shut down everything we're doing,' Homan said. 'It's ridiculous. I thought the Supreme Court was pretty clear last month about these radical judges trying to, you know, stop the Trump administration from implementing our agenda that American people voted for,' Homan told reporters Wednesday. Overall, the unveiling of 'Alligator Alcatraz' has gotten mixed reviews. Republicans, led by the Trump administration, are big fans of the facility being used to house illegal migrants in Florida as they await deportation. A migrant held in the Alligator Alcatraz detention center described dozens of inmates being corralled inside cages at the disorienting, mosquito-infested facility in an interview last month with NBC6. Democrat Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz called 'Alligator Alcatraz' an 'internment camp' during a visit to the facility last month, noting that the conditions were 'appalling.' Wasserman Schultz also said that the whole facility was a 'stunt' and that human beings were 'abused.' Congressman Max Frost, another Florida Representative, said that toilets being clogged in the facilities have caused 'feces' to 'spread everywhere.' Trump toured the newly constructed migrant detention facility deep in the Florida Everglades - nicknamed 'Alligator Alcatraz' - in July. He then praised its remote, high-security design, promising it would soon house what he called 'the most menacing migrants, the most vicious people on the planet.' Juan Palma, 48, who has spent more than two weeks at the center in the Florida Everglades, told NBC6 that the lights stay on around the clock, leaving him clueless as to the time of day. The Cuban migrant said that he and 32 other people live in what he described as a cage and that they are only allowed to shower every three or four days.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Donald Trump fantasized about using Taylor Swift's 'star power' to rule the world in resurfaced clip
A resurfaced clip of Donald Trump raving over Taylor Swift is making the rounds again—just days after he took a swipe at the pop star online. On Monday, Trump praised Sydney Sweeney 's controversial American Eagle jeans ad—which has faced backlash for allegedly promoting 'eugenic ideals' —calling it the '"HOTTEST" ad out there' after learning she's a registered Republican. He used the moment to take a jab at what he called ' WOKE ' advertising, reigniting his long-running feud with Swift by declaring she is 'NO LONGER HOT.' Now, a 2011 video from the CMT Music Awards is going viral, showing a very different tone from Trump when it came to Swift. In the opening sketch, a spoof on Thelma & Louise featuring Swift and Shania Twain, Trump is seen reading a newspaper with a headline about the two 'superstars'—and he's clearly impressed. 'If I could harness the power of these two women, I could control the world. They're unbelievable,' he said. The resurfaced clip was shared on a Taylor Swift fan Instagram page, where reactions quickly poured in from both sides. One supporter came to Swift's defense, writing, 'Donald Trump can say what he wants about her, but we Swifties, including me, love Taylor Swift and defend her from Donald Trump's negative criticism.' Others, however, sided with Trump. 'Well... things change! I'm a Swiftie, but I'm also MAGA,' one person commented. Another added, 'This was back when Taylor wasn't woke. She changed and became woke.' The drama kicked off just hours after Trump learned of Euphoria star Sweeney's reported political views. Wasting no time, the former president took to Truth Social early Monday to weigh in. 'Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the "HOTTEST" ad out there,' he wrote. 'It's for American Eagle, and the jeans are "flying off the shelves."' The drama kicked off just hours after Trump learned of Euphoria star Sweeney's reported political views He added, 'Go get 'em Sydney!' Trump used the post to take a swipe at what he labeled as 'WOKE' advertising—then quickly turned his attention to Taylor Swift. 'Or just look at Woke singer Taylor Swift. Ever since I alerted the world as to what she was by saying on TRUTH that I can't stand her (HATE!),' he wrote. 'She was booed out of the Super Bowl and became, NO LONGER HOT.' Trump ended his tirade by declaring that 'WOKE is for losers' and insisting that the 'Republican Party is what you want to be.' This follows a May post on Trump's social media, where he declared, 'Has anyone noticed that, since I said 'I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,' she's no longer 'HOT?"' The remark references yet another Truth Social post from Trump. After Swift endorsed Kamala Harris in September 2024, Trump fired back by posting, 'I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!'
