In the ever-intertwined worlds of politics and professional wrestling, a new campaign ad in Kentucky is making the subtext text. Nate Morris, a self-described “America First” conservative vying to fill the Senate seat being vacated by Mitch McConnell, has released a television spot that directly lifts its structure and theme from one of the most iconic wrestling promos of all time.

The ad sees Morris appropriating the legendary “Hard Times” promo delivered by “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes in 1985. While Rhodes’ original speech was a non-partisan rallying cry for the working class against the opulent champion Ric Flair, Morris has repurposed it with a distinctly conservative political message, targeting his rivals and aligning himself with former President Donald Trump.

The full transcript of the campaign advertisement is below:

Mitch McConnell and his boys Andy Beshear and Daniel Cameron, they don’t know hard times. Hard Times is being raised by a single mom, not knowing if you’re going to make rent. It’s watching factories close and opioids destroy your community. Hard Times is a man working a job for 30 years. They give him a watch, kick him in the butt, and say globalism took your job. That’s hard times. And that’s why I back Trump’s tariffs 100% to bring back American jobs. I’m Nate Morris and I approve this message because I’m a Trump guy, not a McConnell guy.

The original “Hard Times” promo is celebrated by wrestling fans for its raw emotion and connection with the audience, cementing Dusty Rhodes as a blue-collar hero. The direct appropriation has not gone unnoticed, drawing sharp criticism from figures within the wrestling industry.

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Legendary manager and Kentucky native Jim Cornette took to social media to voice his disgust with the ad, blasting Morris for co-opting the famous speech.

https://x.com/TheJimCornette/status/1951603437679874525

This dimwitted f–knuckle is running ads all over Kentucky swinging off S–tler’s jock, another lunatic MAGAt embarrassing Kentucky, and now he’s a FUCKING PROMO THIEF doing a 4th rate copy of Dusty Rhodes. Eat shit, @NateMorris , you’re no better than turtleface.

For decades, pundits and comedians have joked that politics is essentially professional wrestling for a different audience. Both arenas rely on crafting compelling characters, delivering passionate speeches (or “promos”), identifying clear heroes and villains, and winning over a crowd. With a political candidate now directly lifting a classic promo nearly word-for-word for a campaign ad, that old joke feels more like a straightforward observation than ever before.

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