President Donald Trump issued a public statement Thursday honoring professional wrestling icon Hulk Hogan following the news of his passing [1] at age 71, as reported [2] by The Western Journal.
Trump described Hogan as a “great friend” and praised his impact on American culture, as well as his support for the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement.
“We lost a great friend today, the ‘Hulkster,’” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.
“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.”
Trump continued, “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.”
Donald J. Trump Truth Social 07.24.25 01:41 PM EST pic.twitter.com/ZeSdUavDgv [3]
— Fan Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) July 24, 2025 [4]
Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, rose to fame in the 1980s as the face of the then-World Wrestling Federation (WWF), now known as World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
Known for his entrance to “I Am a Real American,” Hogan embraced a patriotic image and remained a popular figure across generations of wrestling fans.
Trump and Hogan first crossed paths at WrestleMania IV in 1988, held at the Trump Plaza in Atlantic City. According to a past interview with Hogan, he was surprised by Trump’s early arrival and full participation during the event.
I’m not one of these “everything was better back in my day” people.
But I cannot properly describe how much different the 80s were than what we have today. It was fun and happy and patriotic and ridiculous and over the top. It was wonderful.
And Hulk Hogan was a big part of it. pic.twitter.com/Ha0LvyYJTi [5]
— Jesse Kelly (@JesseKellyDC) July 24, 2025 [6]
“I didn’t think [Trump would] come to the show. He was there early, came into the dressing room, met all of the wrestlers. … 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.”
Trump and Hulk Hogan go way back – here they are in Atlantic City, New Jersey March 29, 1987 pic.twitter.com/l9mLCzDJuC [7]
— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) July 24, 2025 [8]
In recent years, Hogan entered the political arena with open support for Trump. He delivered a speech at the Republican National Convention, where he likened the energy in the room to a wrestling arena.
“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. “But what I found out was, I was in a room full of Americans, brother.”
“I know tough guys, but let me tell you something, brother – Donald Trump is the toughest of them all.”
“When I saw him stand up with that fist in the air and the blood on his face — as a warrior, as a leader — I realized that’s what America needs.”
~ Hulk Hogan #RIPHulkHogan [9] pic.twitter.com/hmYk9k1pWw [10]
— David Burke (@ConservativeTht) July 25, 2025 [11]
He went on to describe Trump as “the toughest of them all” and appeared at campaign events, including rallies at Madison Square Garden, gatherings at Mar-a-Lago, and President Trump’s inauguration in Washington, D.C.
HULK HOGAN IS IN THE BUILDING, BROTHER pic.twitter.com/nXl4sB8pvy [12]
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) October 27, 2024 [13]
Although Hogan’s career included periods of public controversy, he drew widespread attention in 2023 after publicly sharing his Christian faith.
Hogan was baptized alongside his wife and posted the moment on X, writing, “[Total] surrender and dedication to Jesus is the greatest day of my life. No worries, no hate, no judgment … only love!”
Total surrender and dedication to Jesus is the greatest day of my life. No worries, no hate, no judgment… only love! pic.twitter.com/gB43hTcLU6 [14]
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) December 20, 2023 [15]
Hogan officially retired from in-ring wrestling in 2012 but remained active in the WWE universe and was promoting his “Real American Beer” brand as recently as January.
His death marks the loss of a major cultural figure who was known for his iconic wrestling career, his public faith journey, and his vocal political stance in support of President Trump.