Byron Donalds: Trump’s RNC entrance will be like ‘Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania’

MILWAUKEE — Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) says former President Trump is “in great spirits” on the first day of the Republican National Convention and will make a pro-wrestler-esque entrance when he takes the stage in Milwaukee.

“I talked to him this morning, actually,” Donalds told ITK on Monday. “He’s in great spirits. He’s ready to go.” 

Trump said he would announce his running mate on the opening day of the convention — an onstage reveal would mark the first time the 45th president has been seen in public since an assassination attempt against him at a Pennsylvania rally Saturday. Trump said a bullet pierced his ear in the shooting, when a gunman on a nearby rooftop killed one rally attendee and critically injured two others. 

Donalds, who’s been floated as a possible VP contender, said Monday he had “no predictions” about who Trump might announce as his vice presidential pick.

“I have no idea,” the 45-year-old lawmaker, sporting a pair of aviators while walking outside the Baird Center in Milwaukee, said of a potential running mate choice.

Asked if he was concerned for his own safety following the shooting, Donalds replied, “You always have a concern, but I don’t live my life that way. We’re gonna keep working hard, keep pressing.”

The Florida Republican indicated that the attack hadn’t curbed the liveliness at the GOP’s big gathering: “I think people’s mind is really that divine providence was on the shoulder of President Trump, and what it has done is I think it’s even given this convention more energy, more resolve.”

“When he hits the stage, whenever that’s gonna be, just watch out,” Donalds said, before comparing Trump to an ’80s wrestling icon known for dramatically ripping off his shirt as he entered the ring. 

“It’s gonna be Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania.”