President Trump paid tribute to wrestling legend Hulk Hogan after he passed away on Thursday at the age of 71.

“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,” Trump said.

“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!” he added.

According to TMZ, medics were dispatched to the WWE icon’s Clearwater, Florida home early Thursday morning.

The report says he suffered “cardiac arrest.”

ADVERTISEMENT

JUST IN: Wrestling Icon Hulk Hogan Passes Away At 71, Watch Full Speech From 2024 RNC

The New York Post shared more:

The six-time undisputed WWE champion tore off his shirt — revealing a Trump-Vance tank top underneath — at last July’s RNC in Milwaukee just days after the former and future president narrowly escaped an assassination attempt.

“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!” the WrestleMania fixture roared as he shredded his shirt in half. “And I said, let Trump-o-mania run wild, brother! Let Trump-o-mania rule again! Let Trump-o-mania make America great again!”

Hogan, legal name Terry Gene Bollea, died of cardiac arrest Thursday morning at his home in Clearwater, Fla.

The son of a Georgia construction worker vociferously backed Trump ahead of his Nov. 5 election victory, including vouching for him at an October Madison Square Garden rally that ruffled feathers in Manhattan.

“Usually when I’m in Madison Square Garden, I’m body-slamming giants, I’m winning world heavyweight titles, and I’m cracking people over the head with chairs,” he told the crowd, brandishing his massive biceps and wearing a hot-pink bandana on his head and yellow sunglasses.

“I don’t see no stinkin’ Nazis in here. I don’t see no stinkin’ domestic terrorists in here. The only thing I see here are a bunch of hard-working men and women that are real Americans, brother.”

Hogan colorfully ripped Trump’s Democratic rival, then-Vice President Kamala Harris, saying that when he hears”Ka’mala” speak, “it sounds like a script from Hollywood with a really, really bad actress.”

Watch Hogan's full enthusiastic speech at the 2024 RNC below:

ADVERTISEMENT

"I had the privilege of knowing and working with Hogan for over 40 years. Hulk was a dear friend and member of our WWE family. His legacy in and out of the ring will always be remembered. He was one of a kind!" Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said.

"My thoughts and prayers are with his family, his friends, and all of his fans," she continued.

Newsweek noted:

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."

 

Join The Conversation. Leave a Comment.