Human Events Daily with Jack Posobiec

Episode: The Death of the Superstar
Release Date: August 8, 2025

1. Tribute to Hulk Hogan and His Legacy

The episode opens with a heartfelt tribute to wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, celebrating his monumental impact on professional wrestling and American culture.

• Hulk Hogan's Impact:

  • [01:18] Jack Posobiec emphasizes, "Hulk Hogan was the man who brought professional wrestling into the Mainstream in the 80s."
  • Hogan himself reflects on his legacy, stating, "Hulk Hogan was the foundation for everything that we have today." (00:56)

• Personal Anecdotes:

  • Posobiec shares a personal story from the Republican National Convention, highlighting the electric atmosphere Hogan created:

    "When he took that jacket off, I froze. ... The sheer energy and power that was unleashed by Hogan on stage that night, that's what was needed to save America." (02:31)

• Final Appearance:

  • The discussion touches on Hogan's last physical appearance in WWE, where he was met with mixed reactions:

    "You quite literally have the icon of real America being booed by New America." (03:17)

2. The Death of the Superstar: Analyzing the Decline of Iconic Figures

Posobiec and his guest, Raw Egg Nationalist (Dr. Charles Cornish Dale), delve into the concept of the "Death of the Superstar," examining why modern society struggles to produce figures like Hogan.

• Comparison with Past Superstars:

  • The 80s and 90s are highlighted as golden eras with numerous iconic figures such as Mike Tyson, Michael Jordan, and Ozzy Osbourne serving as cultural touchstones. Hogan is portrayed as standing "head and shoulders" above them all. (08:50)

• Historical Context:

  • They connect the rise of these superstars to the Cold War era, suggesting that the societal pressures of the time helped forge these larger-than-life personas. (11:38)

3. The Making of Superstars: Past vs. Present

The conversation contrasts the organic, grassroots rise of past superstars with the algorithm-driven fame of today's influencers.

• Grassroots Development:

  • Posobiec describes how Hogan and Ozzy Osbourne built their careers through relentless touring and connecting with everyday people:

    "Hulk Hogan might be coming and you can see, go and see him perform these incredible feats without having to go too far." (15:45)

  • Ozzy's dedication is exemplified by Tony Iommi's resilience after his accident, crafting a career from adversity:

    "He fashions leather thimbles and then places them in replay and replaces his fingertips." (32:44)

• Modern Influencers:

  • The discussion critiques contemporary figures like Logan Paul and Justin Bieber, who achieve fame through social media without the same depth of connection or sacrifice:

    "You can be a massive star in, in no time. And it doesn't actually require the, the dedication or the sacrifice." (40:49)

4. The Role of Masculinity and Nationalism

A central theme explores how strength, masculinity, and nationalist sentiments have historically underpinned the rise of superstars and political figures alike.

• Positive Masculinity:

  • Raw Egg Nationalist asserts, "America has been sent off down the wrong track because it's demonized its boys and its men." (22:02)
  • The speakers argue that fostering strong, masculine role models is crucial for societal success:

    "We aren't a society that produces Hulk Hogans anymore." (19:26)

• Nationalist Populism:

  • They draw parallels between the populist rhetoric of the 80s wrestling heroes and Donald Trump's MAGA movement, positioning Trump as a "spiritual successor" to Hulkamania:

    "Trumpamania, or the MAGA movement, becomes the spiritual successor of Hulkamania." (18:41)

5. Authenticity and Grassroots Connection

The authenticity of past superstars, rooted in their working-class backgrounds and direct connections with ordinary people, is contrasted with the manufactured nature of modern fame.

• Connection to the Common Man:

  • posobiec highlights how superstars like Ozzy Osbourne remained connected to their roots, culminating in Ozzy's final concert in Birmingham where "working-class people... paid their respects." (35:22)

• Community and Place:

  • The significance of place is underscored with locations like Birmingham, England, serving as the heartlands for authentic connections:

    "They're not stitching in, they're not swapped in, they're not transplants. They live and breathe it right back." (37:11)

6. Populism and Spiritual Successors

The episode explores how modern political movements mirror the populist, larger-than-life qualities of past superstars, emphasizing a return to nationalistic values.

• Donald Trump as a Successor:

  • Trump is portrayed not just as a politician but as an embodiment of the same qualities that made Hogan a beloved icon:

    "Donald Trump was there in the 1980s, in the 1990s." (21:13)

• Shared Rhetoric:

  • The use of populist language and the rallying around American greatness echo the narratives used by wrestling superstars:

    "This is an archetypal story. It's a story that everybody can get behind." (17:14)

7. Conclusion: Fostering Genuine Talent and Mindful Consumption

Wrapping up, the hosts emphasize the importance of consuming authentic content and supporting pathways for real talent to flourish.

• Content Consumption:

  • Posobiec advises listeners to "consider the content you consume" as a means to influence cultural trends and support genuine superstars. (47:10)

• Encouraging Authentic Pathways:

  • Raw Egg Nationalist suggests, "We need to encourage these companies and also, you know, political parties... to create pathways for people like real superstars to succeed." (48:09)

• Final Thoughts:

  • The episode closes with a call to preserve and promote the values that historically produced iconic figures, ensuring that future generations can again witness the rise of true superstars:

    "These are the real American voices." (38:37)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jack Posobiec:
  "Hulk Hogan was the man who brought professional wrestling into the Mainstream in the 80s." (01:18)
  "This is an archetypal story. It's a story that everybody can get behind." (17:14)
  "We aren't a society that produces Hulk Hogans anymore." (19:26)

• Raw Egg Nationalist (Dr. Charles Cornish Dale):
  "America has been sent off down the wrong track because it's demonized its boys and its men." (22:02)
  "Trumpamania... becomes the spiritual successor of Hulkamania." (18:41)
  "These content you consume matters... encourage these companies to create pathways for superstars." (48:09)

• Hulk Hogan:
  "I am a real American. Fight for the rights of every man." (01:47)
  "When they took a shot at my hero and they tried to kill the next President of the United States, enough was enough." (02:21)
  "Nothing will stand in our way. And our golden age has just begun." (07:27)

Key Insights and Conclusions

• Legacy of Authentic Superstars: Figures like Hulk Hogan and Ozzy Osbourne were products of their time, embodying the strength, masculinity, and nationalist sentiments that resonated with the working class.

• Shift in Fame Dynamics: The rise of social media influencers lacks the grassroots authenticity and the personal sacrifices that characterized past superstars, leading to a disconnect with the average person.

• Cultural and Societal Impact: The decline in producing authentic superstars is linked to broader societal shifts, including the demonization of masculinity and the impact of industrial changes.

• Call to Action: To revive the era of true superstars, there is a need to support authentic talent, consume meaningful content, and re-embrace the values that fostered strong, relatable icons.

This episode of Human Events Daily with Jack Posobiec offers a nostalgic yet critical examination of the changing landscape of cultural superstars, urging a return to the authentic, grassroots roots that once propelled legendary figures to iconic status.