Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared August 1st as ‘Hulk Hogan Day’ in tribute to the late wrestling star.
The WWE icon died at the age of 71 on Thursday after suffering fatal cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida – with tributes quickly pouring in for the wrestling star.
Now, DeSantis – who had a strong relationship with Hogan – has offered his own tribute and insisted that there will be a day to celebrate the WWE icon.
DeSantis said: ‘On Thursday, July 24, 2025, Florida resident and legendary professional wrestler Terry Bollea, better known as Hulk Hogan, passed away.
‘His larger-than-life personality will be missed, as the “Hulkster” was an icon for many who grew up in the 80s and 90s as well as today. He was a true Floridian through and through.
‘In honor of a great Floridian, Hulk Hogan, we are lowering the flags at the capitol and in Pinellas County tomorrow.
WWE legend Hulk Hogan died aged 71 last Thursday after suffering fatal cardiac arrest
Florida Governor Ron Desantis has declared that August 1st will be known as ‘Hulk Hogan Day’
‘Additionally, I am officially declaring tomorrow, August 1st, 2025, as ‘Hulk Hogan Day’ in Florida. Rest in peace, brother’.
The passing of the WWE superstar was felt across the country, with tributes from those within the sport – and outside of it – flooding in.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson paid a heartfelt tribute to his ‘childhood hero’ in an Instagram video where he said: ‘Rest in Peace, Terry Bollea aka The Immortal Hulk Hogan. To millions of little kids you were a childhood hero – myself included.
‘In 1984, I gave you your ‘HULKSTER’ headband back, in the locker room in Madison Square Garden – I was the lucky kid [who] caught it when you threw it in the crowd. You were wrestling ‘Mr Wonderful”,’ Paul Orndorff that night in the main event.
‘You were shocked and so happy after the match because you told me that was your very last headband and if it weren’t for me, you’d have no way of getting that exact one made again. You promised me that you would get more made and give me a Hulkster headband of my own as a thank you gift.
‘A month later in Madison Square Garden, you did just that. You kept your word, with a handshake and a ‘thanks kid’. And that meant the world to that little 12 year old boy.
‘Just 17 years later, and still a kid at the age of 29 years old — I’m standing in the middle of the ring and facing you – one of my wrestling heroes in the main event of WRESTLEMANIA.
‘The match was to decide who would go down in history, as The Greatest of All Time’.
The WWE honored the late wrestler at events over the weekend after his death at age of 71
Dwayne Johnson also paid an emotional tribute to WWE legend and his old rival Hulk Hogan
However, Hogan’s estranged daughter Brooke has taken aim at the WWE after his death
However, in contrast, Hogan’s estranged daughter Brooke has taken aim at the WWE following the wrestling legend’s sudden death last week.
While Hogan’s devastated son, Nick, 35, joined WWE stars for the emotional tribute ahead of Monday’s event, Brooke, 37, has been noticeably absent from both ceremonies.
However, while firing back at critics of her absence, the television personality claimed it was through no fault of her own.
‘For those of you giving me c*** for not attending my Dad’s tributes, @WWE did not extend an invite,’ she wrote on her Instagram story Wednesday.
Daily Mail has contacted WWE for comment.
Furthermore, Florida county school board chair Sarah Rockwell sparked outrage after making shocking comments about Hogan’s death on social media.
In a post on Facebook, Rockwell wrote: ‘Oh did Hulk die? I didn’t even know. Good. One less MAGA in the world’.
In a follow-up comment, she wrote: ‘[H]e worked with the McMahons to union bust professional wrestling.
Florida county school board chair Sarah Rockwell later mocked the death on Facebook
Rockwell seemingly mocked the death and claimed there was ‘one less MAGA in the world’
‘[H]e’s never been a good guy. I feel absolutely nothing about his death.’
After the comments went viral on social media, Rockwell swiftly deleted them before later issuing a statement apologizing for the ‘flippant’ remarks.
She wrote: ‘A few days ago, I made a cruel and flippant comment from my personal Facebook account on a friend’s post regarding the death of Hulk Hogan. I deeply regret making that comment and have since removed it.
‘I want to make it very clear that I never have and never will wish harm on anyone regardless of whether we share political views. While I strongly disagree with some of the comments Hulk Hogan made, that is no excuse for my comment.’
‘I also sincerely apologize for the way my comment has eroded confidence in my ability to represent all students, families, and staff in Alachua County.
‘I want to assure all of you that the best interests of our children and our public schools are at the center of everything I do as a board member. I hope I have shown that by my record of advocacy for children, families, and staff members throughout Alachua County.
‘Again, I apologize for the hurt and distrust I have caused with my insensitive comment. I will continue to do the hard work of putting our children and schools first. I hope that I can earn back your trust.’