Controversial Comments by Florida Education Official

Sarah Rockwell, the chairman of the Florida County Board of Education, drew considerable backlash after making remarks on social media regarding Hulk Hogan’s death. Her comments were, well, a bit shocking, to say the least. When news broke that Hogan had passed away from cardiac arrest, Rockwell reportedly responded with a remark that many found inappropriate.

In a now-deleted Facebook post, she expressed that the news was “good,” and referenced President Trump in her comments, which she later described as “a speaking speech that protected unmade speeches.” It’s hard to grasp exactly what she meant by that, but it didn’t sit well with a lot of people.

Rockwell stated, “Oh, did Hulk die? I didn’t know. Good. One Magazine of the World.” This sentiment came as she was running for the school board while also promoting her stance within Florida’s Democratic Public Education Caucus. Following this, she went on to claim that Hogan “worked with McMahon to work with Union Bust Pro Wrestling,” asserting he was “never a good person.” It’s tough to wade through all of that without cringing a bit.

These comments quickly went viral, prompting her to delete the posts and issue an apology through her official school board account. She acknowledged her remarks were cruel, expressing regret for how they might have harmed others, regardless of differing political views.

Despite the uproar, Rockwell has maintained her position and refused to resign. She argued that her comments shouldn’t be viewed as reflective of her duties as a public servant. “I have made two public apologies for my comments, but I will never talk about it again,” she stated at a recent meeting, indicating her belief in the protection of her personal speech.

Interestingly, Hogan, throughout his career, largely kept politics at arm’s length. However, he did express strong support for Donald Trump in the 2024 election, especially in light of a recent assassination attempt that happened just days prior.

Adding to the mix, Hogan mentioned at a Republican National Committee event, “As a celebrity, I’m trying to get away from politics… But everything that has happened to our country makes me no longer able to remain silent.” He also affirmed his support for Trump, labeling him a “real American hero.”