MSNBC political host Joy Reid blames Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential victory on Generation X voters who grew up watching Hulk Hogan and WWE. This group is aged 44-59, born between 1965 and 1980. Reid argues that this generation’s familiarity with wrestling icons like Hulk Hogan shaped a cultural mindset that is sending Trump back to the White House. During MSNBC’s 2024 election special coverage, Reid stated:
“My generation, Generation X, the people who grew up on WWE and Hulk Hogan and Donald Trump, did this. They did this. They are the ones who looked in the face of somebody who looked them in the face and said, ‘I want to be a dictator on day one.’ We did this.”
Reid’s comments highlight the longstanding ties between Trump and wrestling culture. Several WWE legends have publicly supported him over the years, including Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker, Kane (Glenn Jacobs), and Ric Flair—all longtime fans of Trump who actively campaigned for him during his latest presidential run.
Linda McMahon, former WWE president, she served in Trump’s cabinet as the head of the Small Business Administration from 2017 to 2019 during his first term before transitioning to lead a PAC supporting his reelection. She’s now co-chair of his transition team.