Hulk Hogan's Bandana Raising Eyebrows In Sex Tape Trial

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — As the third day of testimony in Hulk Hogan’s $100 million invasion of privacy lawsuit trial against Gawker Media continued Wednesday, chatter about the former professional wrestler’s attire continued to dominate social media.

At issue is the Hulkster’s insistence on wearing a black banana inside the St. Petersburg courtroom. Indeed, scenes from the courtroom on all three days of the trial so far have included Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, wearing a bandana. Footage of Hogan’s testimony also shows him sporting the look.

Hogan’s less-than-standard court attire is raising eyebrows for some and creating a reason to cheer for others.

“Hulk Hogan wearing a bandana on the stand will never not amaze me,” Joey Rhode tweeted on day two of the trial.

“He’s Hulk Hogan whatchu gonna do brother? When Hulkamania wears his NWO bandana to court,” Bugz Le Baron tweeted Wednesday.

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While that bandana might seem disrespectful in court, it turns out Hogan has special dispensation to wear it.

Judge Pamela Campbell has given her blessing for the unusual attire since Hogan is self-conscious about his bald head, several media outlets have reported.

Campbell’s decision to allow Hogan’s bandana in her courtroom isn’t making everyone happy. The explanation has drawn fire from some who are calling the allowance “white privilege.”

Bandana aside, the trial centers on Gawker’s decision to release a sex tape that contained secretly recorded images of Hogan having sex with Heather Cole, the ex-wife of radio shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge. Hogan contends the release was an invasion of his privacy. Gawker contends it was well within its rights to publish a 30-minute edited version of the video because Hogan had talked openly about his sex life in the media before.

A six-person jury will ultimately decide if the publication invaded Hogan’s privacy. How soon the case might go to the jury remains unclear. In the meantime, Judge Campbell has made up her mind about the bandana at least.