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The Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
From Wrestlemania to MAGA-land: Hulk Hogan and Donald Trump's friendship through the years
President Donald Trump 's decades-long friendship with Hulk Hogan was forged over a love of professional wrestling but developed into a political alliance that eventually culminated in Hogan earning a spot in the president's trusted circle. Beginning in the 1980s, the two men embarked on parallel journeys to ultimate fame in their respective careers while maintaining a relationship that benefitted one another. Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, died on July 24 at the age of 71. The president remembered his 'great friend' in a post on Truth Social, calling him 'strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart.' 'He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive,' Trump said. 'To his wife, Sky, and family, we give our warmest best wishes and love. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!' A start in the wrestling world Trump and Hogan first met in the 1980s when both were budding celebrities known for their over-the-top ways. Hogan, standing at 6'7' and weighing approximately 300 pounds, was a wrestling star who headlined multiple WrestleMania events, including WrestleMania IV and V held at Trump Plaza in 1989. Trump, a titan of the real estate industry of New York at the time, sponsored the events and sat ringside. 'My first interaction with Trump was WrestleMania four and five, and you know, I didn't think he'd come to the show. But he was there early, came in the dressing room, met all the wrestlers,' Hogan told PBD Podcast last year while recalling his first meeting with Trump. At WrestleMania V, Trump once again sat ringside, this time watching as Hogan defeated André the Giant. 'He's the same guy now that he was back then,' Hogan told PBD Podcast. 'He hasn't changed a bit. I mean, he's just a quality person.' The transition to the MAGA world Hogan wasn't always a MAGA Republican; in fact, he endorsed former president Barack Obama up until his re-election in 2012. After that, Hogan changed his tune and when Trump stepped into the political ring as a candidate contender in 2016, Hogan jumped on board. While he did not issue a public endorsement of Trump until 2024, Hogan said he did support Trump in 2016. The only hint of that Hogan gave publicly was in 2015 when he suggested he could be Trump's running mate. 'I don't want to be in the ring with any candidates, I want to be Trump's running mate," Hogan told TMZ at the time when asked which 2016 candidate he would get into the ring with. "Did you hear that?" he said. "Vice President Hogan?" Ultimately, Trump went with Mike Pence as his running mate. But Hogan would eventually make an appearance on stage with Trump when he spoke at the 2024 Republican National Convention and Trump's Madison Square Garden rally. But in between Trump's 2016 presidential win and 2024 presidential win, Hogan experienced some life events that brought him closest to the MAGA world. In 2016, Hogan filed a $100 million lawsuit against former pop culture blog Gawker for publishing an excerpt of his sex tape. The lawsuit was backed by billionaire Peter Thiel, who had also been subjected to gossip spread by Gawker after the online blog outed him. Hogan eventually won the lawsuit, initially for $140 million, but settled with Gawker for $31 million. That ultimately led to Gawker 's closing. The lawsuit occurred at the same time Trump was unleashing his anger at the media, branding many as 'fake news.' Some, including Brian Knappenberger, who directed a documentary on Hogan's lawsuit, believed there were 'direct parallels' between the Gawker suit and Trump's rise to fame. 'MAGA all the way' Hogan decided to use his theatrical personality to endorse and advocate for Trump at the RNC after seeing the president survive an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. 'As an entertainer, I try to stay out of politics,' Hogan said on stage at the convention, wearing a red bandana. '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.' Tapping into his entertainment background, Hogan decided to endorse the president by yelling into the microphone while ripping his shirt off with his bare hands to reveal a 'Trump Vance 2024' tank top underneath, flexing his muscles the entire time. 'Let TrumpMania run wild, brother!' he shouted. 'Let TrumpMania rule again! Let TrumpMania make America great again!' In remembering his friend, Trump recalled Hogan's 'absolutely electric speech' at the RNC. 'That was one of the highlights of the entire week,' Trump said after Hogan's death. Hogan tapped into that same energy again in October 2024 – this time wearing a red and yellow feathered boa. 'We lost a great friend today, the 'Hulkster,'' Trump said after his death. 'Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way.'
Washington Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
Hulk Hogan was a well-known Trump supporter. Their ties go back 40 years.
The nearly 40-year personal connection between World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Famers Donald Trump and Hulk Hogan — who died Thursday at 71 — began with WrestleMania IV. The 1988 pay-per-view event, advertised as being held at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City (though it was held at the city's convention hall), took place during wrestling's golden era, and Hogan was slated to face off against Andre the Giant. 'I didn't think [Trump would] come to the show. He was there early, came into the dressing room, met all of the wrestlers,' Hogan said on the PBD Podcast last year, recalling the Atlantic City event. ' … They said he was sitting in the front row, and I was surprised because he went out for the first match and he stayed all the way until I wrestled.' In an absurd promotion ahead of his match in Atlantic City, Hogan threatened to slam Andre the Giant 'through the Trump Plaza' and into the ocean, creating a fault line from New York to Tampa. 'Thank God Donald Trump's a Hulkamaniac,' Hogan said in the promotion. 'He'll know enough to let go of his materialistic possessions, hang onto the wife and kids, dog paddle with his life all the way to safety.' Subsequent footage shows Trump ringside, signing autographs and enjoying the show. Nearly 40 years after the match, Hogan took the stage at the 2024 Republican National Convention, where he ripped off his shirt and called Trump, who had faced an assassination attempt days earlier, his 'hero.' 'When I came here tonight, there was so much energy in this room, I thought maybe I was in Madison Square Garden, getting ready to win another world title,' he said at the convention in Milwaukee. ' … But what I found out was, I was in a room full of real Americans, brother.' After the wrestler's death, Trump called Hogan 'a great friend' in a post on Truth Social, adding the Hall of Famer was 'MAGA all the way.' 'He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive,' the president continued. 'To his wife, Sky, and family, we give our warmest best wishes and love. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!' Hogan claimed last year that the first time he voted was for Trump in 2016, and he repeatedly said his decision to publicly endorse Trump was motivated by the assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. In the months that followed the Republican convention, Hogan remained in Trump's orbit, appearing at a Madison Square Garden rally, hanging out at Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club and posing together at an Inauguration Day event. Hogan hadn't always been a conservative. He was once a supporter of Barack Obama but changed his tune in 2011. Then, in 2015, Hogan suggested that he should be Trump's running mate. Onstage at the RNC last year, Hogan said he liked Trump's chances given that he had spent decades in the ring fighting 'some of the baddest dudes on the planet.' 'I know tough guys, but let me tell you something, brother, Donald Trump is the toughest of them all,' Hogan said. Trump has decades-long ties to the WWE, the wrestling entertainment company previously known as the World Wrestling Federation, which often starred Hogan in the ring and was run by Vince McMahon. Trump's ties to McMahon's wrestling empire continued after the Atlantic City event, with the New York businessman appearing in scripted fight storylines that included shaving McMahon's head inside the ring and 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin subsequently dropping him to the mat. Hogan did not intersect with Trump's storylines, but in interviews last year, the wrestler drew personal connections to him. Hogan successfully sued the news site Gawker in 2012 for invasion of privacy over its publishing of a leaked sex tape showing him in bed with his best friend's wife — a case that came to effectively serve as a proxy battle for a larger culture war. Hogan, on the PBD podcast, credited Trump for putting 'a spotlight on … 'fake news'' but did not bring up his lawsuit against Gawker specifically. ' … Now I realize the majority of America would get the mainstream news, and they don't really get the real truth of what's really going on.' Although Trump and Hogan came from different backgrounds, they were kindred spirits of a sort, both natural showmen whose public personas centered around traditional views of masculinity. Each grew up in the halcyon days of post-World War II America, with each achieving national fame in the 1980s and defining success in their respective arenas — business and sports entertainment. And while their stars dimmed in the 1990s, they harnessed their entertainment skills to resurrect their careers in the 2000s as reality television stars. They similarly resurrected their careers after respective scandals. Audio recordings revealed during the litigation in the Gawker case captured Hogan uttering racist insults, which prompted WWE to terminate his contract. Three years later, he was welcomed back into the WWE universe and reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame. Despite a disgraceful exit from office following the attack on the U.S. Capitol and attempts to overturn his 2020 election loss, Trump entered the 2024 campaign vowing to exact revenge if elected to a second term. He returned to the White House this year as the first felon to serve as U.S. president, immediately granting a sweeping act of clemency to individuals involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot and empowering those who defended him to go after his perceived political enemies. The presence of professional wrestling within Trump's orbit also goes beyond the WWE, and his fixation on the sport has extended into his time in office. Trump chose WWE CEO Linda McMahon — Vince McMahon's wife — to serve as his small business administrator during his first presidential term. In his second term, she was selected to lead the Education Department. On the campaign trail last year, Trump told Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White that he should start a spin-off competition featuring migrants, as part of his riff on restricting immigration. Since returning to office six months ago, Trump has attended the final day of the NCAA Division I men's wrestling championships and made appearances at more than one UFC event. And earlier this month, Trump said he plans to host a UFC fight card on the White House grounds as part of a celebration honoring America's 250th birthday next year. 'We're going to have a UFC fight on the grounds of the White House,' Trump said in Des Moines. 'We have a lot of land there.'
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Trump breaks silence on Hulk Hogan's sudden death
Published: | Updated: President Donald Trump reacted to the news of legendary professional wrestler Hulk Hogan 's death on Thursday after the news reached the White House . 'We lost a great friend today, the 'Hulkster,' Trump wrote on social media on Wednesday afternoon. 'Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart.' 'He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive,' Trump wrote, praising his 'absolutely electric speech' from the Republican 2024 National Convention. 'To his wife, Sky, and family, we give our warmest best wishes and love. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!' he concluded. Hogan's death also prompted Vice President JD Vance to pay tribute to the famous wrestler. 'Hulk Hogan was a great American icon. One of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid,' Vance wrote on social media. '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.' Hogan, who's real name is Terry Bollea, famously endorsed Trump at the Republican National Convention in 2024, delighting the president's supporters by appearing on stage waving an American flag prior to his speech. The famous American figure, who did not voice his support for Trump in his first election , revealed that the failed assassination attempt of the president in Butler, Pennsylvania inspired him to endorse the president in his reelection campaign. 'What happened last week, when they took a shot at my hero, and they tried to kill the next president of the United States, enough was enough and I said let Trumpamania run wild brother!' he shouted as he ripped off his t-shirt to show a Trump branded tank top. Hogan said he and Trump had known each other for over 35 years, recalling the moments during his wrestling career at some of his hotel and casino venues. 'I just had a flashback man, this is really tripping,' Hogan told the crowd. 'You know the last time I was onstage Donald Trump was sitting ringside at Trump Plaza,' Hogan said recalling one of presidents old casino hotels in Atlantic City. In 1988 and 1989, the WWE's WrestleMania events were hosted near Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Hogan pointed to Trump's record in his first term as evidence that he would return to office and enforce the border and be tough on crime. 'So all you criminals, all you low-lifes, all you scumbags, all you drug dealers and all you crooked politicians need to answer one question for me. What you gonna do when Donald Trump and all the Trumpamaniacs run wild on you brother?' he said in Milwaukee. Hogan also spoke at Trump's Madison Square Garden rally in New York City, just a week before the presidential election. 'You something Trumpmaniacs, I don't see no stinkin' Nazis in here, I don't see no stinkin' domestic terrorists in here, the only thing I see in here are a bunch of hard workin' men and woman that are real Americans brother,' he said at the Madison Square Garden Rally in New York City.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Trump breaks silence on his 'great friend' Hulk Hogan's sudden death
President Donald Trump reacted to the news of legendary professional wrestler Hulk Hogan 's death on Thursday after the news reached the White House. 'We lost a great friend today, the 'Hulkster,' Trump wrote on social media on Wednesday afternoon. 'Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart.' 'He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive,' Trump wrote, praising his 'absolutely electric speech' from the Republican 2024 National Convention. 'To his wife, Sky, and family, we give our warmest best wishes and love. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!' he concluded. Hogan's death also prompted Vice President JD Vance to pay tribute to the famous wrestler. 'Hulk Hogan was a great American icon. One of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid,' Vance wrote on social media. '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.' Hogan, who's real name is Terry Bollea, famously endorsed Trump at the Republican National Convention in 2024, delighting the president's supporters by appearing on stage waving an American flag prior to his speech. The famous American figure, who did not voice his support for Trump in his first election, revealed that the failed assassination attempt of the president in Butler, Pennsylvania inspired him to endorse the president in his reelection campaign. 'What happened last week, when they took a shot at my hero, and they tried to kill the next president of the United States, enough was enough and I said let Trumpamania run wild brother!' he shouted as he ripped off his t-shirt to show a Trump branded tank top. Hogan said he and Trump had known each other for over 35 years, recalling the moments during his wrestling career at some of his hotel and casino venues. 'I just had a flashback man, this is really tripping,' Hogan told the crowd. 'You know the last time I was onstage Donald Trump was sitting ringside at Trump Plaza,' Hogan said recalling one of presidents old casino hotels in Atlantic City. In 1988 and 1989, the WWE's WrestleMania events were hosted near Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Hogan pointed to Trump's record in his first term as evidence that he would return to office and enforce the border and be tough on crime. 'So all you criminals, all you low-lifes, all you scumbags, all you drug dealers and all you crooked politicians need to answer one question for me. What you gonna do when Donald Trump and all the Trumpamaniacs run wild on you brother?' he said in Milwaukee. Hogan also spoke at Trump's Madison Square Garden rally in New York City, just a week before the presidential election. 'You something Trumpmaniacs, I don't see no stinkin' Nazis in here, I don't see no stinkin' domestic terrorists in here, the only thing I see in here are a bunch of hard workin' men and woman that are real Americans brother,' he said at the Madison Square Garden Rally in New York City. Hogan also attended the president's inauguration, and one of his inauguration balls in Washington, DC in January. 'We have our country back!' Hogan celebrated on Fox News at the president's Liberty Ball as he ripped the sleeves of his tuxedo. 'We're going to get everything back to where it should be.'
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘It was his best friend': Ex-Trump Casino boss reveals president brought Epstein and teen girl to gaming floor
A former executive at Trump's Atlantic City casino claimed that the president once brought Jeffrey Epstein and a 19-year-old girl to the gaming floor. Jack O'Donnell, who was president of the Atlantic City Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino for four years from 1987, told CNN that president 'frequently' visited the New Jersey resort with Epstein to attend 'special events.' 'In my mind, it [Epstein] was his best friend, you know, from really the time I was there for four years,' O'Donnell, a frequent Trump critic, told the network Wednesday. The revelation comes as uproar over the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein files refuses to die down. Anger from MAGA over the recent Department of Justice memo declaring the case closed has not subsided, while Trump has reportedly raged that his supporters won't 'shut the f*** up' about the saga. During one visit to the Atlantic City resort in the late 80s, O'Donnell claimed inspectors of the state casino commission, which regulates gambling and ensures casinos comply with the law, were waiting for him in his office, after the president and disgraced financier had turned up to the venue with a group of three women. Jack O'Donnell, who was president of the Atlantic City Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino for four years from 1987, told CNN that President Donald Trump 'frequently' visited the New Jersey resort with Jeffrey Epstein. (CNN/YouTube) 'Donald and Jeffrey had come into the casino in the wee hours of Sunday morning, 1:00, 1:30 in the morning,' O'Donnell told CNN's Erin Burnett. 'You know, two buddies, they had three women with them, and the commission was waiting for me because they had determined that the women that they brought down were underage to be in the casino.' The former casino boss said that he asked the inspectors how they knew the young woman's age. 'One of them was the number three-ranked tennis player in the world,' O'Donnell explained. 'And this guy happened to be a tennis fan and he said, 'Jack, I know she's 19 years old.'' He added: 'To get on a helicopter with a friend and three other people and fly down to Atlantic City, I mean, you can connect those dots. They were pretty good buddies.' It is illegal for anyone under 21 to gamble on the casino floor in New Jersey, a law enforced with strict penalties. O'Donnell said the commission gave Trump 'a break' on this occasion but claimed the commission made him ring the president to reprimand him. Trump and Epstein were reprimanded by O'Donnell for taking a 19-year-old woman onto the casino floor, according to O'Donnell. They were not fined, but given a warning, the former casino boss said. (NBC News) 'They made me call him and I had to, believe it or not, read him the Riot Act about this action because they gave him a break,' O'Donnell said. 'I had to call them and say, 'they're giving you a break this time, but if this happens again, the fine is going to be substantial and it's going to be on your head.'' O'Donnell added that he told Trump that turning up with Epstein and the young women was 'not gonna look good.' 'I did tell him in that conversation, 'I don't think you should be hanging out with this guy, just so you know, and you certainly shouldn't be doing that in Atlantic City,'' O'Donnell said he told Trump at the end of the phone call. The president has attempted to distance himself from the disgraced financier, who died by suicide in a New York jail in August 2019. The two were photographed and filmed together on several occasions and in 2002, Trump described Epstein as a 'terrific guy' whom he had known for 15 years in an interview with New York Magazine. He added: 'It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.' Solve the daily Crossword
