In one of those moments that would have been hard to imagine if someone had told you about it 40 years earlier, Hulk Hogan appeared at the Republican National Convention in 2024 to give a primetime address endorsing his longtime friend, Donald Trump, for president of the United States. He even did his trademark tearing off of his shirt to reveal a Trump shirt underneath.
Trump and Hogan had known each other for decades, throughout Trump’s long association with pro wrestling, including his “hosting” of WrestleMania IV and V in Atlantic City in 1988 and 1989, when Hogan was at the top of the card. Hogan appeared again on the campaign trail, at the rally shortly before Election Day at Madison Square Garden, where he had competed in the first WrestleMania nearly 40 years earlier.
Hulk Hogan should get a state burial for what he did at the RNC.
Rest in peace, legend.pic.twitter.com/32LceMC2sa
— Ryder Selmi (@RyderSelmi) July 24, 2025
On Thursday, Hogan passed away at the age of 71, and the president remembered his old friend.
Stay up-to-date with the latest news!
Subscribe and start recieving our daily emails.
“We lost a great friend today, the ‘Hulkster,’” the president said on Truth Social, as cited by the New York Post. “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!”
🚨 BREAKING: President Trump just gave a heartfelt send off to his friend Hulk Hogan after his passing today
“We lost a great friend today, the “Hulkster.” Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way – Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart.”
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 24, 2025
Hogan was welcomed at the RNC despite some troubling racist comments in the past, which even got him banished from wrestling for a time.
RNC Speaker Hulk Hogan using the n-word and claiming that he is “a racist to a point.” pic.twitter.com/KBLzvxslTB
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) July 18, 2024
Another longtime wrestling figure, former WWE CEO Linda McMahon, is serving in the Trump Administration as Secretary of Education. Hogan had reportedly pushed for a spot on the Presidential Council on Physical Fitness, but that never came to pass.
Photo courtesy of the Political Tribune media library.
