Why is Joey Swoll getting cancelled? Hulk Hogan apology controversy explained in wake of online backlash

Fitness influencer Joey Swoll has reportedly quit social media after the recent Hulk Hogan apology controversy. Taking to his X on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Swoll explained that he was "done with social media" after those close to him received threats.

For context, after news of Hulk Hogan's passing made headlines, Swoll shared a tribute on TikTok. The post showed him dressed as the late WWE icon for Halloween. However, the post did not sit well with his followers, with many calling it tone-deaf.

According to AOL, the outrage reportedly stemmed from Hogan using a racial slur to describe his daughter's then-boyfriend. In response to the criticism, Swoll issued an apology. However, things took a turn for the worse as it drew backlash from his right-wing fans. Many even stated they were unfollowing the infuencer, essentally, cancelling him. According to Leena Nasir of AOL, they criticized him for bending to "leftist pressure."

A lot of people upset with me calling me weak and a quitter or worse. They’re not wrong and I deserve it but just so we’re clear and you can walk a mile in my shoes. They sent messages telling me they know where I live and they were going to unalive me. That’s fine I can handle…

— Joey Swoll (@TheJoeySwoll) July 30, 2025

Referencing the backlash coming his way following his apology, Joey Swoll wrote on X that many had been calling him "weak" and a "quitter." He added that they were wrong and that he "deserved" it. Noting that he could handle the threats coming his way, the influencer continued:

"Then they went after my gf, my business partner, and they found my sister’s number and text messaged her! That made me FURIOUS and disgusted with people. I lost it. So yea, maybe I am done with social media."

"I take full accountability as I too, am still learning and growing" — Joey Swoll in his apology video after fans called him out during a livestream this weekend

Hulk Hogan passed away last week at the age of 71. Learning of his death, Joey Swoll shared a TikTok of himself dressed as the wrestling legend. It featured Swoll wearing Hogan’s signature red and yellow outfit. However, the post drew criticism.

During a livestream this week, some fans brought up the clip, calling out the influencer for ignoring Hogan's controversial past.

Notably, they were referencing the wrestler using racial slurs to describe his daughter's Black ex-boyfriend. According to NBC, while Hogan later apologized, WWE cancelled its contract with him, and Mattel stopped production of any merchandise associated with him.

During the livestream, Joey Swoll doubled down, telling his fans that just because Hogan made mistakes in his life, it did not mean all the good he did shouldn't be recognized. However, the influencer used the word "colored," which drew further criticism.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Joey Swoll (@joeyswoll)

On Monday, Swoll issued an apology for his comments in an Instagram post, which included the caption:

"I am sorry. I take full accountability as I too, am still learning and growing. I will do better."

He acknowledged that he became "defensive" during the livestream, telling his followers he only wanted to "celebrate" Hogan's achievement. He continued:

"I didn’t know to 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, horrible things that man has done."

Joey Swoll noted that it was way more than making a one-time mistake or being human. He also apologized for using the word "colored." He continued to explain that his online brand was to hold people accountable, and he held himself to the same standards.

However, soon after, netizens, including X user Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog), slammed Swoll's apology. Walsh criticized Joey for thanking "leftist trolls for “educating” him," even calling him "pathetic" for caving in to the "woke mob."

Joey Swoll later addressed the backlash in an X post shared on Tuesday. He lamented that "all the good" he had done has been outshined by people who just needed a reason to hate him. He then announced he was taking a break from social media before thanking those who had been supportive.

While netizens continue to debate Swoll's move,, the influencer himself has not publicly reacted further as of this writing.