Donald Trump's relationship with the wrestling world has a long tradition. Even though he has not appeared in television shows organized by the popular American organization WWE for over a decade, now, at the end of the campaign – as the BBC writes – he is once again seeking the support of his old friends. Recently, he has been a guest on the podcasts of several famous wrestlers, and in July, at the Republican convention, the famous Hulk Hogan encouraged people to vote for Trump.
Trump has been involved with wrestling for decades. He has declared many times in the past that he is a fan of this type of shows, and they were organized several times at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, a no longer existing hotel that belonged to the former president.
He also took part several times in events called “Wrestlemania”, organized by the popular American organization WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), which for many years was owned by Trump's friend, also a celebrity – Vince McMahon.
Trump has also maintained close relationships with many popular wrestlers over the years, including the famous Hulk Hogan, who is considered a pop culture icon.
The BBC writes that although more than ten years have passed since Trump last appeared as a special guest on a program organized by WWE, he is now seeking the support of old friends, and former stars are returning and supporting him in his 2024 presidential campaign.
Donald Trump as a special guest at the gala organized by WWE. Photo from 2007Leon Halip/WireImage/Getty images
Hulk Hogan supported Trump and ripped his shirt on stage
Hulk Hogan performed during the July Republican convention in Milwaukee. He described Trump as a “leader”, “hero” and “gladiator”. Later in the performance, he also stated that “he has known this man for 35 years and knows that he has always been and still is the greatest of patriots.” – During my career, I fought in the ring with the biggest and most dangerous guys in the world. (…) Donald Trump is the toughest of them all. They blamed everything on him, all the investigations, impeachments, court cases, and he still kicks their asses – said the 70-year-old then.
Hulk Hogan at the finale of the Republican National Convention in MilwaukeePAP/EPA/JUSTIN LANE
It was during this event Hogan made his famous ring gesture and ripped off his shirtthus revealing a top worn underneath with the names of Trump and JD Vance, the vice presidential candidate, printed on it.
Recently, Trump appeared on a podcast hosted by Mark Calaway, better known as The Undertaker, also considered a wrestling icon.
Hulk Hogan at the Republican Party Convention (July recording)Reuters
Politics is like wrestling. “The psychology of raising emotions”
The BBC quotes the assessment of Abraham Josephine Riesman, a journalist who, analyzing Trump's media strategy, points out that in USA there is a large group of people who listen to wrestling podcasts, and many of them identify as apolitical or unorthodox. And this is who Trump intends to reach.
“Young men are among the key groups that the Trump camp hopes to attract through podcasts and social media, as well as the involvement of people from the wrestling world,” it said.
In his book about wrestling's relationship to politics, Riesman argues that to understand the 78-year-old's rise, fall and return to American politics, one must look at it through the prism of professional wrestling – “his art of blending fiction with reality, the psychology of elevating emotions through exaggeration and his ability to to transform the hated into the righteous.”
Main photo source: Leon Halip/WireImage/Getty images