President Donald Trump is paying tribute to his friend and supporter Hulk Hogan, whose death at age 71 was announced on Thursday, July 24.
“We lost a great friend today, the ‘Hulkster,’ ” Trump, 79, wrote on Truth Social after hearing the news. “Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way — Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart.”
Trump then recalled Hogan’s support on the 2024 presidential campaign trial, writing about his “absolutely electric speech at the Republican National Convention” which he called “one of the highlights of the entire week.”
“He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive,” Trump continued. “To his wife, Sky, and family, we give our warmest best wishes and love. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!”
TMZ was first to report the news of the wrestling legend’s death. The outlet reported that medics were sent to Hogan’s home in Florida after he reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest and he was taken out on a stretcher.
Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea, was one of the first superstars of professional wrestling and helped pioneer the sport as it became a global phenomenon. He was a 12-time world champion, two-time inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame and headlined eight of the first nine WrestleManias, the WWF’s annual flagship event.
In a WWE statement shared with PEOPLE, the wrestling company said, “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.”
ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty
Hulk Hogan speaks at a campaign rally for Donald Trump on Oct. 27, 2024
His friendship with Trump went back more than “35 years,” according to a speech Hogan gave at a Trump rally at Madison Square Garden in October 2024.
The wrestler and entertainer recalled defeating André the Giant at Wrestlemania IV — held at Trump Plaza in 1988 — as the future president looked on.
“I just had a flashback, man. This is really trippy. The last time I was up on stage, Donald Trump was sitting ringside at the Trump Plaza. I was bleeding like a pig, and I won the world title right in front of Donald J. Trump,” he said. “You know something? He’s going to win in November and we’re all going to be champions again when he wins.”
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The wrestler continued to show support for Trump in his final months. On Inauguration Day in January, he shared an Instagram photo with Trump to promote his Real American beer brand,
“Two Real American Legends,” he captioned the pic.
Hogan faced multiple controversies in recent years beyond the pushback for his MAGA support, including leaked audio of a racist rant, which he later called “unacceptable” in 2015, and a sex tape that was leaked online in 2012.
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