Vice President JD Vance remembered Hulk Hogan as a “great American icon” on Thursday, July 24, hours after his death was confirmed by WWE. The wrestling legend and MAGA supporter died at the age of 71.

“Hulk Hogan was a great American icon,” Vance posted on X. “One of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid. The last time I saw him we promised we’d get beers together next time we saw each other. The next time will have to be on the other side, my friend! Rest in peace.”

As the WWE’s first superstar, Hogan’s celebrity status helped grow the sport worldwide.

In recent years, he became another kind of star: one in President Donald Trump’s MAGA movement. Hogan appeared at the 2024 Republican National Convention and at some of Trump’s rallies.

“As an entertainer, I try to stay out of politics. But after everything that’s happened to our country over the past four years, and everything that happened last weekend, I can no longer stay silent,” he said at the convention while endorsing Trump. “Let Trumpmania run wild, brother!”

Last year, the WWE Hall of Famer promoted his beer brand in Cincinnati, where he also praised Trump ‒and Skyline Chili.