CNN’s Scott Jennings Floats Hulk Hogan As Marco Rubio’s Possible Replacement
CNN commentator Scott Jennings drew some laughs with a tongue-in-cheek suggestion for Florida’s political future. As speculation mounts about Senator Marco Rubio’s possible departure to serve as Secretary of State in a Trump administration, Jennings proposed a replacement that’s equal parts audacious and all-American: Hulk Hogan.
“If Marco Rubio does in fact become Secretary of State, we’re going to need a new senator from the state of Florida. And we need someone with Rubio’s national security credentials,” Jennings said during a CNN segment. “Now, there’s one Floridian who can do it. He stood up to the Russians and the Iranians in the 1980s when he defeated the Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff, two of America’s most lethal foes.”
“He is a real American,” Jennings continued. “He fights for the rights of every man. He knows that courage is the thing that keeps us free.” The segment culminated in a direct plea to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis: “Get on it. Hulk Hogan for U.S. Senate!”
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The legendary wrestler, whose real name is Terry Bollea, rose to fame in the 1980s as the face of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Known for his larger-than-life personality, Hogan’s patriotic persona captured the zeitgeist of Cold War America, where his scripted battles against foreign heels like The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkov became metaphors for U.S. resilience.
Jennings leaned into Hogan’s wrestling lore with a rhetorical flourish. “And what you gonna do, Chuck Schumer, when Hulkamania runs wild on you, brother?” he joked, punctuating his pitch with Hogan’s signature catchphrase.
Wrestlers turned politicians include Jesse Ventura, who served as Minnesota’s governor, and Glenn Jacobs, better known as Kane, who is currently the mayor of Knox County, Tennessee. Hogan — who recently entered the political arena for the first time by endorsing former President Trump — delivered what was perhaps the main highlight of the Republican National Convention with a rousing endorsement speech back in July.
“Well, let me tell you something, when I came here tonight, there was so much energy in this room, I felt maybe I was in Madison Square Garden getting ready to win another worldtitle. Or maybe I thought the vibe was so intense, the energy was so crazy, it felt like maybe I was going to press that no-good, stinky giant over my head and slam him through the mat, brother,” Hogan told the RNC crowd.
He also made a surprise appearance at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally right before the November election.
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The American icon was showered with chants of “USA” after he ripped his shirt off to reveal a Trump-Vance undershirt. “Welcome to the house that Hulkamania built!” Hogan began.
For now, Rubio’s future remains uncertain. Trump is expected to nominate him as Secretary of State, marking a significant development in U.S. foreign policy leadership. The anticipated appointment would be a reconciliation between the two, who were once rivals during the 2016 Republican primaries.
As of now, there’s no indication that Hogan is seriously being considered as his replacement.