2 months ago
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Joey Swoll, the popular social media bodybuilder and self-appointed arbiter of gym etiquette, has now made enemies on the left and right over his reaction to Hulk Hogan's death.
The 40-something Swoll (born: Joseph Sergo) ignited outrage online this week in the aftermath of Hogan's fatal cardiac arrest by posting a video of himself dressed up like his childhood hero in full Hulkamaniac regalia.
But Hogan critics blasted Swoll's tribute due to past racist remarks by the wrestler born Terry Bollea. Hogan famously described himself as 'racist to a point' in a 2007 tape in which he used the N-word several times.
Swoll tried to quell the outrage, but in doing so, used the word 'colored' to describe African Americans, thereby digging himself into a deeper proverbial hole with online critics. As a result, he posted a video this week to apologize to his audience.
'I owe my followers, my community, and all of social media an apology,' Swoll said. 'A few days ago, I reposted an old video of me in the gym wearing a Hulk Hogan costume on the day he passed.
'Last night in my live stream, a lot of people expressed how upset and frustrated they were with me. Instead of listening and understanding like I should have, I became defensive and said that I was posting to celebrate the wrestling icon, the person that so many of us looked up to as kids.
Joey Swoll, the popular social media bodybuilder and self-appointed arbiter of gym etiquette, has now made enemies on the left and right over his reaction to Hulk Hogan 's death
The 40-something Swoll ignited outrage online this week in the aftermath of Hogan's fatal heart attack by posting a video of himself dressed up like his childhood hero
'I didn't know the extent of all the horrible things that he had done. Since last night, I've done a lot of research and learned all of the horrible things that man has done, which is way more than just making a mistake and being human.
'I have taken the video down, and I apologize to anyone that I have offended.'
Now, though, its conservatives who are lashing at out Swoll after he apologized for his previous remarks and apparently quit social media.
'Fitness influencer Joey Swoll 'quits' after bending the knee to the woke mob by apologizing for honoring Hulk Hogan after he passed,' wrote conservative Collin Rugg on X.
Matt Walsh, another conservative podcaster, had a similar take.
'Influencer Joey Swoll posts a groveling apology for praising Hulk Hogan,' Walsh wrote. 'He thanks the leftist trolls for 'educating' him. Absolutely pathetic. Inexcusable to cave to the woke mob at any time, but to cave to them in 2025? Baffling.'
Swoll did not thank anyone for 'educating' him, as Walsh claimed, but he did pledge to 'do better' in the future.
Hogan was recorded using the N-word and describing himself as a 'racist' in 2007
In a previous statement he announced he was 'done with social media,' but it's unclear if he's truly resolved to leave his platforms. Daily Mail has reached out for clarification.
Swoll's place in media is difficult to explain to those who aren't engaged in social media.
Within the world of influencers, there exists a fitness subculture where aficionados share their supposed expertise on all gym matters. And it's within that world that we find Swoll, who now styles himself as the 'CEO of Gym Positivity.'
But it's not his corny surname or status as a 'gym positivity influencer' that irked conservatives. It was his decision to apologize to the 'woke left,' according to his critics.
'Joey Swoll got cancelled by the left cause he's racist and then cancelled by the right because he apologized for his racism,' one person remarked online.
Another added: 'This guy's pathetic. The woke left mob should have zero influence on your life & the decisions you make.'
