Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan is scheduled to speak at the Republican National Convention on Thursday, ahead of former President Trump’s speech formally accepting his party’s nomination for president, The Hill has confirmed.
Hogan — an 1980s wrestling icon known for dramatically ripping his shirt upon entering the ring — is among several figures from the wrestling world who will speak on the final day of the convention, setting up Trump’s long-awaited speech.
Each night of this week’s convention, Trump walked from a red-carpeted hallway into the convention hall as music played, similar to the way wrestlers enter arenas before a match. A large bandage was taped to the side of his head after a bullet grazed him in an assassination attempt less than a week ago.
Trump’s speech Thursday night will mark his first public address since Saturday’s shooting, which abruptly halted his speech at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. The former president’s ear was bloodied by a bullet before Secret Service agents carried him off the stage. One rally attendee was killed, while two others were injured and the shooter was killed by Secret Service countersnipers.
Other figures from the world of wrestling and combat sports are scheduled to speak at the convention on Thursday, including Dana White, CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and Linda McMahon, who co-founded WWE with her husband, Vince McMahon, and who served as Trump’s small business administrator during his first term.
Hogan himself has toyed with a political run and even said earlier this year that he would consider entering the political circle if asked.
“Hey, you never know,” Hogan said in a NewsNation interview in June, when asked if he could take a position in the White House. “Right now, I would be a great vice president, brother, because I have common sense. I know what is right and what is wrong.”
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Florida), a close Trump ally, earlier this week said Trump’s expected return to the stage after the assassination attempt “will be Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania.”
“I think what’s in people’s minds is really that divine providence was on President Trump’s shoulders, and what she did was, I think it even gave this convention more energy, more determination,” Donalds said after the shooting.
“When he goes on stage, whatever it is, be careful,” he added.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
