As the wrestling world mourns, one former Gawker writer’s post ignites an online firestorm—exposing deep wounds, unresolved grudges, and the ugly underbelly of digital revenge culture.
When news broke that WWE legend Hulk Hogan had passed away at 71 due to cardiac arrest, most of the internet paused to remember the icon. But not everyone chose to mourn.
Yvette d’Entremont, a former Gawker Media writer, decided to dance on the grave—publicly. Her now-deleted tweet, laced with resentment and profanity, didn’t just take aim at Hogan; it reignited one of the internet’s most infamous media feuds. And this time, the backlash was swift, severe, and near-universal.
The Tweet That Blew Up the Timeline
"So Hulk Hogan died. As a former Gawker writer (as are all Gawker writers thanks to Hulk Hogan), I won't be the first or the last to say 'f*** that guy.'"
That was the post that lit the match. In an instant, a death became another battlefield—between internet decency and performative spite, between grief and grudges.
Within hours, d’Entremont deleted the tweet. But the damage was done. Screenshots circulated. Replies piled on. Criticism ranged from disgusted to furious, with users calling her “crass,” “cold,” and “a symbol of everything wrong with toxic digital culture.”
Context Matters, But So Does Timing
For those who’ve forgotten, the Hogan–Gawker saga was more than a celebrity scandal. It was a precedent-setting legal war. Gawker had published parts of Hogan’s sex tape, and Hogan sued them for invasion of privacy—ultimately winning $140 million. The verdict bankrupted Gawker, sparked debates on press freedom, and made Hogan both a victor and villain, depending on where you stood.
For d’Entremont, the tweet was personal—a shot at the man who helped destroy her former employer. But for most of the world, it read as petty, tasteless, and disturbingly gleeful. Celebrating someone’s death, even a controversial figure, still strikes many as morally tone-deaf.
Free Speech Isn’t Free of Consequences
In follow-up posts, d’Entremont doubled down, saying she also celebrated the deaths of Henry Kissinger and Rush Limbaugh. “I won’t apologize,” she wrote. And maybe she doesn’t need to. But the internet’s memory is long and unforgiving, especially when your words come off as cruel rather than courageous.
There’s a growing trend of public figures and influencers using death as a canvas for unresolved anger or edgy posturing. But there’s a line between honest critique and opportunistic hate. And d’Entremont—whether intentionally or not—crossed it for many.
The Hypocrisy of Online Morality Mobs? Maybe. But That Doesn’t Excuse This.
Yes, social media is full of contradictions. Yes, Hogan wasn’t a perfect man—his career and personal life were marred by lawsuits, controversies, and questionable remarks. But death, for most, demands a certain silence—or at least tact.
This wasn’t just a former employee airing past grievances. It was someone gleefully mocking the deceased while the body was still warm. And the internet wasn’t having it.
One user summed up the sentiment: “Gawker was trash, and I took pleasure in its demise. You, on the other hand, take pleasure in someone’s death. How noble and kind of you.”
Can You Hate the Legacy Without Mocking the Loss?
The Hogan–Gawker case was polarizing. Hogan’s privacy was undeniably violated, but his legal battle was funded by billionaire Peter Thiel—a move some saw as a chilling blow to press freedom. That nuance, however, has no place in viral outrage. It’s either mourning or mockery—and d’Entremont chose the latter.
But the real problem isn’t her tweet. It’s the culture that fuels this need to say something edgy during sensitive moments. Silence isn’t weakness. And grace isn’t submission. You don’t need to honor someone you disliked—but weaponizing their death for clout? That’s not brave. That’s just broken.