Things went off the rails at a press conference in Bradenton, Florida, on Thursday after a man launched into a profanity-laced tirade against Governor Ron DeSantis, right in the middle of a tribute to wrestling legend Hulk Hogan. DeSantis was speaking at the Manatee Performing Arts Center about Hogan’s legacy when the man suddenly stood up and began yelling from the crowd, accusing the governor of aligning with pedophiles and referencing the ongoing controversy surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
“I remember WrestleMania 3,” DeSantis began, before being cut off by the man’s outburst. “Is that your f-cking legacy?” the man shouted, referencing the Alligator Alcatraz federal detention facility in the Everglades. “You bow down to a f-cking pedophile. You’re a f-cking pedophile. All of you are f-cking Nazis.”
Two deputies from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office quickly escorted the man out of the room as he flipped DeSantis off with both hands, continuing to shout, “F-cking Nazis.” Video footage of the moment has since gone viral, with many noting that DeSantis remained largely composed throughout the confrontation, only responding with, “Get out of here,” before carrying on with his speech.
Chaos at Ron DeSantis Press Conference as Man Ejected After Explosive Outburst
Social media users quickly rallied behind the protester, flooding the internet with praise and fiery support. “Normalize screaming at Ron DeSantis,” one user wrote. “This is what DeSantis and his ilk deserve. And best part is… it’s the righteous thing to do,” another added.
A third chimed in, “That’s a stand-up guy right there. We need more people like him and way, way less like DeSantis… preferably none like DeSantis.” Another echoed the sentiment with, “Good. Scream it louder.”
Hulk Hogan passed away on July 24, 2025, at the age of 71. While DeSantis tried to keep the focus on Hulk Hogan’s legacy, the unexpected protest quickly stole the spotlight, and reminded the public that, in Florida, things can always take a wild turn. #OnlyInFlorida.
