MILWAUKEE — The energy in the room was palpable as Hulk Hogan took the stage at the Republican National Convention on Thursday night. The tanned and muscular wrestling legend, whose real name is Terry Bollea, had the audience in the palm of his hand from the moment he stepped out from behind the podium.
Hulk Hogan, a WWE legend known for his high-energy wrestling ring antics, began by proudly ripping off his shirt onstage, revealing a red Trump-Vance tank top beneath. The audience erupted into thunderous applause as they watched the iconic wrestler channel some of his most memorable moves and catchphrases.
I didn’t come here as Hulk Hogan,” Bollea bellowed out, “But I just had to give you a little taste.” He went on to proclaim his pride in supporting Donald Trump as the next president of the United States, calling him “a real hero.
Holan spoke passionately about Trump’s resilience and toughness in the face of numerous investigations, impeachments, and court cases. He compared the former president favorably to some of the biggest and baddest adversaries he had faced during his career as a professional wrestler, asserting that “Donald Trump is the toughest of them all.
The retired wrestler lamented the decline in America’s economy, security, and international standing since Trump left office, claiming that only the former president can reverse these negative trends. Bollea urged his fellow citizens to support Trump in the November election so they could “live the American dream” once again.
Holan’s enthusiastic endorsement of Trump drew a smile from the 45th president, who was seated among the attendees at the convention. The wrestling star concluded his speech with a call to action, challenging those he deemed undesirable – lowlifes, scumbags, drug dealers, and crooked politicians – to prepare for the onslaught of “Donald Trump and all the Trumpamania” in the upcoming election.
As if to one-up Holan’s high-energy performance, UFC chief Dana White was scheduled as the last speaker before President Trump took the stage, further demonstrating the Republican Party’s commitment to embracing popular culture icons in their bid for electoral success.
