Trump and Hogan shared a decades-long relationship rooted in their mutual flair for showmanship and crossover appeal.

Hogan didn't publicly endorse Trump until the convention, citing the assassination attempt against Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, as the reason for his announcement.

The death of professional wrestling's most recognizable showman sparked reactions from the worlds of entertainment and politics.

One was a businessman turned reality TV star twice elected president. The other was a professional wrestler who became politically active later in life. Donald Trump and Hulk Hogan's paths first crossed at a late 1980s wrestling event at one of Trump’s Atlantic City,

Since news broke of legendary wrestler Hulk Hogan’s death on Thursday, July 24, at age 71, wrestlers and celebrities have come forward to share their condolences and memories. Hogan suffered cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater,

Jacobs noted how Hogan jumped into the film industry, starring alongside Sylvester Stallone in "Rocky III," and was a phenom. "He'll certainly be missed, and I've had so many people reach out to me and just... feels like a part of our childhood died because so many of us — that's what we grew up with — was Hulk Hogan."

"He was the real deal," President Trump says of Hulk Hogan, who died at the age of 71. "He was a great guy, he was an unbelievable showman."

The post We’re living in the world Hulk Hogan — and Donald Trump — made appeared first on Salon.com. If you truly want to understand American politics and society in the Age of Trump, you need to study professional wrestling.

Hulk Hogan, a wrestling icon of the 1980s, captivated audiences with his larger-than-life persona. Known for his patriotic image and electrifying performances, Hogan became a symbol of American culture.