Donald Trump Reacts to Death of Hulk Hogan
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
President Donald Trump has reacted to the death of professional wrestling legend and ally, Hulk Hogan.
Hogan died at age 71 following a cardiac arrest at his Clearwater, Florida, home early Thursday morning.
The president, a longtime fan and a former professional wrestling heel, himself, posted on Truth Social, "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. 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!"
Trump and Hogan have shared a decades-long relationship rooted in their mutual flair for showmanship and crossover appeal between entertainment and politics. Their connection dates back to the 1980s, when Trump hosted several WrestleMania events at his Atlantic City casinos, featuring Hogan as the headline act. Over time, they maintained a friendly rapport, with Trump praising Hogan's star power and Hogan occasionally invoking Trump's name in public appearances.
Earlier on Thursday, as tributes began to pour in, Vice President JD Vance posted, "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."
Donald Trump Jr. posted, "R.I.P to a legend."
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said on X, "We all have fond memories of @hulkhogan. From my childhood in the '80s, to campaigning with him last year, I always saw him as a giant in stature and in life. May he rest in peace."
Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, told reporters Thursday at the White House, "I love Hulk Hogan ... I had an Italian Mastiff dog named Hulk Hogan."
R.I.P to a legend. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 HULK HOGAN pic.twitter.com/Hjt7ncnhvO — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 24, 2025
In recent years, Hogan has become increasingly involved in politics.
During the 2024 Republican National Convention, he combined his signature WWE theatrics with the fiery rhetoric of President Donald Trump to deliver a forceful endorsement of his longtime associate.
"Let Trumpamania run wild! Let Trumpamania rule again! Let Trumpamania make America Great Again!" Hogan shouted into the crowd.
Donald Trump and World Champion Wrestler Hulk Hogan are shown at Wrestlemania Vl Convention Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey March 29 1987.
Donald Trump and World Champion Wrestler Hulk Hogan are shown at Wrestlemania Vl Convention Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey March 29 1987.
AFP/Getty Images
He ripped off a t-shirt emblazoned with a picture of himself on a motorcycle to reveal a bright red Trump-Vance campaign shirt underneath. Then-presidential candidate Trump stood to applaud the move.
In September of 2024, two months after the RNC, Trump publicly promote Hulk Hogan's beer brand, Real American Beer. Trump posted on Truth Social: "Hulk Hogan is doing a beer, and if he's doing it, it must be good. Great looking can and logo. Give it a try!!! DJT"
This promotion came despite Trump's own admission that he doesn't drink alcohol.
Though Hulk Hogan eventually became a favorite among Trump's base, according to ABC News, he supported Democrat Barack Obama during the 2008 election but later shifted his stance, backing Republican Mitt Romney over Obama in 2012.
Hogan notably lampooned Trump in a 2012 video. As part of a promotional stunt, Hogan impersonated Trump by removing his sunglasses and mockingly styling a paper bag as a comb‑over. He then mimicked firing his own family and suggested Trump "turns his back on everyone," implying the then-real estate mogul and reality show star is self‑centered.
Hulk Hogan ripping Trump in 2012 as not 'cool' and someone who turns his back on everyone including his own family.
This was before he sold out to Trump to promote his beer. pic.twitter.com/9IT32uTYY6 — PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) July 24, 2025
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
26 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' 'A Gift' for Democrats, James Carville Says
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville on Monday said that the Donald Trump-backed "big, beautiful bill" is "a gift" for the Democratic Party. Why It Matters The One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed Congress earlier this month and aims to deliver on Trump's biggest legislative priorities: cementing the sweeping tax cuts, which disproportionately benefit wealthy Americans, enacted during his first term, and substantially increasing funds for border security and immigration enforcement. The Republican-passed bill pays for the tax cuts and increased border security with deep spending reductions in critical social safety net programs like Medicaid and food assistance. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the bill could result in 11.8 million more uninsured Americans by 2034 and add nearly $3.4 trillion to the federal deficit over the next decade. James Carville is pictured at Politicon in Pasadena, California, on June 25, 2016. James Carville is pictured at Politicon in Pasadena, California, on June 25, 2016. Colin Young-Wolff/Invision/AP What To Know Carville made his remarks during an appearance on Fox News, telling host Martha MacCallum that the massive spending package should be the Democratic Party's main messaging focus. "James, you've talked about, you know, them wasting time on some of these issues around trans sports and all this stuff," MacCallum said. "What substantive thing would you like to see them focus on? Because perhaps immigration is the one, and in what way?" "The 'big, beautiful bill,'" Carville responded. "Cutting veterans' benefits, closing rural hospitals, raising $3.4 trillion on our national debt. I mean, when you have something simple in a gift like this to contrast yourself, you would be stupid to talk about immigration, or talk about bathrooms, or track meets or anything else." He added: "Just define yourself that we don't think this is going in the right direction for the United States and the numbers overwhelmingly would support that! But if we keep talking about this other nonsense, we're going to lose our focus." House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries gave a marathon speech railing against the bill, which lasted eight hours and 44 minutes. "Republicans are trying to jam this one, big, ugly bill down the throats of the American people," Jeffries said during his "magic minute" speech. "Leadership requires courage, conviction, compassion—and yet what we have seen from this administration and co-conspirators on the Republican side of the aisle is cruelty, chaos and corruption," he said, adding that the bill was "an extraordinary assault on the health care of the American people." Other Democratic lawmakers also made headlines for their stinging rebukes of the megabill. "This bill will kill good, blue-collar manufacturing jobs that we need to rebuild the economy in this country," Democratic Representative Josh Riley of New York said during a floor debate. "It closes rural hospitals. It defunds health care. All to give trillions of dollars in tax cuts to your cronies." "Don't tell me you give a s*** about the middle class when all you are doing is s******* on the middle class," Riley added. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, another Democrat from New York and one of the most progressive members of Congress, described the bill as a "deal with the devil" in an impassioned speech on the House floor. Democratic Massachusetts Representative Jim McGovern mocked Republicans for behaving like they were in a "cult" because of their support for the Trump-backed bill, despite recent polling data showing that it's broadly opposed by Americans. Several Republican senators have also faced scrutiny over comments they delivered regarding the cuts to Medicaid. Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa made headlines in May when she responded to people protesting Medicaid cuts by saying, "Well, we are all going to die." Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, former Senate majority leader, also told Republicans during a closed-door lunch in June: "I know a lot of us are hearing from people back home about Medicaid. But they'll get over it." What Happens Next Trump administration officials have continued touting the law since Trump signed it earlier this month as part of an effort to sell it to voters. "It is time for you to have a government that works for you instead of against you for the next 3 1/2 years," Vice President JD Vance told voters in his home state of Ohio on Monday. "The Trump administration promises that is exactly what we're going to do."
Newsweek
26 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Zohran Mamdani Reacts To NYC Active Shooting: 'Heartbroken'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani responded on Monday after a gunman opened fire in a midtown Manhattan office building that houses the National Football League (NFL) and some of the country's top financial firms. The Context The shooting took place in one of Manhattan's most prominent business districts, affecting a building that houses some of America's largest financial institutions including Blackstone, Deutsche Bank, and JP Morgan, as well as the consulate general of Ireland. The incident disrupted a critical area of New York's financial sector and triggered emergency alerts across the city. Democrat mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks during a rally at the Hotel & GamingTrades Council headquarters in New York, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Democrat mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks during a rally at the Hotel & GamingTrades Council headquarters in New York, Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Richard Drew/AP What To Know The suspect, identified by multiple media outlets as 27-year-old Shane Tamura, shot and killed three people, including at least one off-duty New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer. "I'm heartbroken to learn of the horrific shooting in midtown and I am holding the victims, their families, and the NYPD officer in critical condition in my thoughts," Mamdani posted on X Monday evening. "Grateful for all of our first responders on the ground." Tamura was found dead on the 33rd floor of the building, ABC's local affiliate reported. The gunman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound; sources told the Associated Press. What People Are Saying New York City Mayor Eric Adams posted on X: "I have been briefed on the limited information available during this active situation. We will provide more information as we have it." Former New York Governor and current mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo posted on X: "Horrified by the shooting in Midtown. I'm grateful for the courage of our NYPD and first responders, and my prayers are with the victims and their families." Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa posted on X: "Disturbing reports out of Midtown Manhattan—multiple people reportedly shot, including an NYPD officer. Praying for everyone affected. Grateful to our first responders who run toward danger to keep us safe." This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
WWE honors Hulk Hogan with another tribute on Monday Night Raw
WWE continues to pay tribute to one of its icons, Hulk Hogan. The wrestling company honored Hogan at the start of Monday Night Raw on July 28 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, four days after his death. The Raw roster came out in the arena to kick off the show, with WWE chief content officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque speaking about Hogan's impact of wrestling. "We lost one of the biggest and most globally recognized icons in the world. A man I grew up watching was fortunate enough to share the ring with and like so many of us were honored to call a friend," Levesque said. "He captivated millions of people and inspired them around the globe. We would not be standing here right now, all of us together, if it was not for him." The honorary 10-bell salute then rang as people in the crowd held up signs and chanted Hogan. Also with the roster was Hogan's son, Nick, and longtime friend and WCW collaborator Eric Bischoff. A tribute video also played highlighting the biggest moments of his Hogan's career, along with other moments outside of the ring. It was the second tribute for Hogan after one was done at Friday Night SmackDown on July 25, the day after his death. Hogan died at the age of 71 after he suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida. Considered one of the biggest wrestling stars in history, he was a six-time WWE Champion and inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice, in 2005 for himself and in 2020 as part of the New World Order. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WWE honors Hulk Hogan at Monday Night Raw, son Nick in attendance
