Joey Swoll, a famous gymfluencer, has declared that he is "done with social media," following backlash after posting a tribute to Hulk Hogan.
Swoll, who has built a massive following of over eight million fans on TikTok, posted an emotional video this week after facing criticism for sharing an old gym clip of himself dressed as Hulk Hogan on the same day the wrestling legend passed away.
"I owe my followers, my community, and all of social media an apology," Swoll began in the video. "A few days ago, I reposted an old video of me in the gym wearing a Hulk Hogan costume on the day he passed."
The timing of the post didn’t sit well with many viewers. During a live stream, fans voiced their frustration and disappointment, prompting Swoll to reflect more deeply on the impact of his content.
"Last night in my live stream, a lot of people expressed how upset and frustrated they were with me," he continued.
"Instead of listening and understanding like I should have, I became defensive and said that I was posting to celebrate the wrestling icon, the person that so many of us looked up to as kids."
Swoll admitted he was unaware of the full extent of the controversies surrounding Hogan’s legacy.
"I didn’t know 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 things that man has done. Which is way more than just making a mistake and being human."
He concluded the video with a sincere apology: "I have taken the video down, and I apologize to anyone that I have offended."
Hogan, a WWE Hall of Famer, passed away from cardiac arrest on July 24 at his home in Clearwater, Florida.
The news sparked a wave of tributes from across the entertainment and sports worlds, with figures like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, President Donald Trump, and former WWE CEO Vince McMahon offering their condolences.
But just as the controversy seemed to settle, Swoll dropped another bombshell — this time on X (formerly Twitter), where he has over one million followers. In a cryptic post, he appeared to hint at walking away from his online career entirely.
"All the good I've done, all the people I've helped, all for nothing," he wrote. "I truly hope all the people I've inspired do great things in their life and pay it forward to help others and carry on my message.
"But no matter how much good you do, people just wait for a reason to hate you and tear you down. You either die a hero, or live long enough to be the villain.
"Thank you for your support. I am done."
Swoll’s message left many fans concerned that the fitness advocate might be quitting social media altogether. Known for calling out toxic gym behavior and promoting positivity, his presence has become a staple in the fitness influencer space.