In an unexpected twist in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump is rekindling connections with old friends from the world of professional wrestling. After more than a decade away from WWE programming, former wrestling icons are stepping back into the limelight to support Trump as he campaigns for a potential return to the White House.
At this summer's Republican National Convention, wrestling legend Terry Bollea, better known as Hulk Hogan, made headlines by donning a red Trump 2024 tank top and enthusiastically declaring, "Let Trumpamania run wild, brother!" This spectacle demonstrates Trump's willingness to combine the entertainment world with his political ambitions.
In a recent interview with wrestler-turned-media figure Tyrus, Trump expressed concerns about societal norms, including the perceived attacks on masculinity and religion in America. Meanwhile, on Monday, he joined WWE icon Mark Calaway, widely recognized as The Undertaker, on a podcast where he received accolades for making politics engaging again. "You know what you've done? You've made politics fun again," Calaway remarked, to which Trump nodded in agreement.
For some analysts, this media strategy aligns with shifting political preferences; many Americans tend to engage with politics later in the election cycle. Abraham Josephine Riesman, who authored "Ringmaster: Vince McMahon and the Unmaking of America," noted the podcast audience includes many who typically identify as apolitical. Capturing young men's attention through unconventional platforms like wrestling shows is a cornerstone of Trump's campaign approach.
Trump's history with WWE is longstanding. Well before his political career, he grew up watching wrestling idols and even hosted WrestleMania events in Atlantic City in the late 1980s. Additionally, a scripted rivalry between Trump and Vince McMahon culminated in the dramatic "Battle of the Billionaires" at WrestleMania 23. Though Trump hasn't participated in WWE events since becoming a Hall of Fame inductee in 2013, his influence on the wrestling entertainment landscape remains significant.
However, not all former wrestlers are on Trump's side. In a viral commercial on Jimmy Kimmel's show, ex-wrestler Dave Bautista criticized Trump, calling him "a weak, tubby toddler." This highlights the division among wrestling stars regarding political endorsements.
Yet Trump's return to the wrestling sphere could be a strategic move designed to connect with broader audiences through recognizable figures. As comedian and wrestling enthusiast Bryan Alvarez noted, "He's hitching his wagon to big-time stars." For Trump's campaign, eliciting emotional responses, both positive and negative, may be the key to captivating the electorate in 2024.
