Hulk Hogan gave one of the 2024 RNC’s most memorable speeches last November when he tore off his shirt and declared, “let Trumpmania run wild, brother!” The full-throated endorsement of his longtime pal President Trump came after he ditched the Democrats over a petty slight by former President Barack Obama.

The WWE Hall of Famer, who died on Thursday at the age of 71, had supported former President Barack Obama in 2008.

When fame tips over into long-running ubiquity, an alchemical transformation occurs. The star goes from being a remote, aspirational figure to an avatar. Which is what happened to Hogan. He became a totem for Real America.

The late Hulk Hogan was a real American, but it’s a whole lot more complicated than that. (Especially, if you’re Black.)

Here are the biggest stories you might have missed in the week of July 20 -July 26.1. Ozzy Osbourne dies at 76Rock star Ozzy Osbourne has died at the age of 76,