This will be Trump’s first, and long-awaited, and much-speculated appearance on Rogan’s widly popular show. The interview will be recorded at Rogan’s Austin, Texas studio, according to a source familiar with the plans who requested anonymity due to the private nature of the arrangements. The news was broken by Politico.
Following the confirmation, the odds that Trump will appear on the Joe Rogan Experience shot to 94% on Polymarket.
Source: Polymarket
Rogan, boasting over 14 million followers on Spotify and consistently dominating national podcast rankings, is seen as a key platform for reaching young male voters—a demographic Trump’s campaign is eager to court. Trump’s appearance on Rogan’s podcast aligns with his recent strategy of engaging with male-centric shows, such as “This Past Weekend” with Theo Von and “Full Send,” hosted by the pro-Trump Nelk Boys.
Source: Joe Rogan
Despite their many public interactions, Trump has never been a guest on Rogan’s podcast, and the two have had a complex relationship. Back in August, Trump took a jab at Rogan after the podcaster singled out Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as a rare exception among manipulative politicians, sparking a subtle dig from Trump. “It will be interesting to see how loudly Joe Rogan gets BOOED the next time he enters the UFC Ring? MAGA2024,” Trump posted, referencing Rogan’s UFC commentary role.
Rogan, for his part, hasn’t shied away from criticizing Trump. In July 2022, Rogan described Trump as an “existential threat to democracy.” However, in a more recent shift, Rogan offered a compliment, saying last month that the economy “did really well” under Trump, and that Trump “did try to cut some of the bullshit” happening in the country.
The relationship between the two has softened in recent months, with Trump and Rogan sharing pleasantries at UFC events. They also share mutual allies, including tech billionaire Elon Musk and RFK Jr., who, after ending his own presidential run, gave an endorsement to Trump.
Interestingly, Vice President Kamala Harris is also reportedly in discussions to appear on Rogan’s show. Her team has yet to comment on any official plans.
Two Colorful Characters
Joe Rogan and Donald Trump share an intriguing dynamic, shaped by a mix of media attention, political influence, and public discourse. Rogan, the wildly popular podcast host of The Joe Rogan Experience, has become one of the most influential voices in modern media. Trump, as the 45th President of the United States and a business magnate turned politician, has always been a polarizing figure with a gift of the gab. While the two have never been particularly close, their paths have crossed in ways that have garnered significant public interest.
Source: X (it’s a meme, folks)
Early Interactions: Indirect Acknowledgment
Before Trump entered politics, Rogan rarely mentioned him. Trump, being a fixture in pop culture, would occasionally come up in Rogan’s stand-up routines or early podcasts, often in a non-serious manner. Like many people, Rogan likely viewed Trump more as a celebrity mogul than a future president. Rogan had made his mark on Fear Factor, UFC commentary, and stand-up comedy, while Trump was still known primarily for The Apprentice and his business empire.
Trump’s Political Rise: Rogan’s Early Opinions
When Trump announced his presidential bid in 2015, Rogan initially dismissed him as a joke candidate, like many others in the media. Rogan’s podcast was becoming more politically diverse around this time, and he often featured libertarians, progressives, and some conservatives. His conversations touched on Trump’s polarizing rhetoric, but he didn’t take Trump’s chances seriously.
As Trump gained momentum, Rogan’s stance shifted slightly, moving from dismissal to curiosity. Rogan didn’t endorse Trump, but he found the political disruption Trump caused fascinating. Trump’s outsider status, his brash style, and his disregard for political correctness were qualities Rogan often discussed on his show. Rogan, known for criticizing “woke culture,” was intrigued by how Trump managed to trigger so many traditional media figures and politicians.
The 2016 Election: Rogan’s Mixed Feelings
During the 2016 election campaign, Rogan’s podcast became a major platform for discussing the chaotic political environment. Although Rogan was critical of both major candidates (Trump and Hillary Clinton), he frequently expressed frustration with the mainstream media’s portrayal of Trump. Rogan saw the media’s attempts to discredit Trump as biased, and he wasn’t afraid to say so. That said, Rogan didn’t hide his dislike for Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric and lack of political experience. He seemed torn between disdain for Trump’s style and a distaste for Clinton’s establishment politics.
Rogan didn’t vote for Trump in 2016, stating that he cast his vote for Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson instead. His reasoning aligned with his libertarian-leaning beliefs about government overreach and personal freedom. However, Rogan did not completely dismiss the idea of Trump’s presidency, acknowledging that Trump’s approach resonated with many Americans who felt disenfranchised by traditional politicians.
Rogan’s Criticism of Trump’s Presidency
During Trump’s presidency (2017-2021), Rogan criticized many aspects of Trump’s governance. He called out Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the misinformation spread during that period. Rogan also took issue with Trump’s brashness on Twitter, feeling that the constant barrage of tweets didn’t reflect presidential behavior.
Despite his criticisms, Rogan defended Trump at times, particularly when it came to media coverage. He believed that the mainstream media treated Trump unfairly, often pointing to double standards. Rogan was particularly vocal about how news outlets seemed more focused on discrediting Trump than addressing the core issues that led to his rise in the first place.
Rogan’s Shift to Support Trump in 2020
In the run-up to the 2020 election, Rogan’s attitude towards Trump became more nuanced. Rogan often expressed frustration with Joe Biden, Trump’s Democratic challenger, and the broader Democratic establishment. In particular, Rogan was critical of Biden’s cognitive abilities, repeatedly questioning whether Biden was mentally fit to serve as president. This led to Rogan being more sympathetic to Trump, particularly as he saw Trump as the lesser of two evils.
Rogan even floated the idea of hosting a live, long-form debate between Trump and Biden on his podcast, something Trump readily agreed to via Twitter. The debate never happened, but Trump’s eagerness to engage Rogan demonstrated the influence Rogan had garnered in political discourse.
Rogan’s Controversies and Trump’s Role
Rogan has faced significant backlash for his comments on various social and political issues, particularly during the pandemic. His promotion of alternative COVID-19 treatments and vaccine skepticism drew widespread criticism. During this period, Rogan would occasionally refer to Trump as a figure who had been similarly misunderstood and unfairly treated by the media. This positioning placed Rogan and Trump on a similar cultural footing — both figures who relished being anti-establishment and triggering the media
Post-Election Reflections
After the 2020 election, Rogan continued to criticize both Trump and Biden. He was particularly harsh on Trump’s refusal to concede the election, calling out the former president’s false claims of election fraud. However, Rogan also believed that Trump’s populist appeal wasn’t going away anytime soon. On his podcast, he speculated about Trump’s potential run in 2024, and he saw Trump’s base of supporters as highly energized.
Trump, for his part, never appeared on Rogan’s podcast, but his presence loomed large. Rogan’s neutrality and his willingness to entertain ideas from both sides of the political spectrum helped him retain a diverse audience. His criticisms of Trump never reached the level of outright disdain, and his observations often reflected how Trump managed to disrupt the political status quo, something Rogan, in many ways, found fascinating.
Would Rogan Ever Endorse Trump?
In 2022, Rogan was asked point-blank if he would support Trump in 2024. Rogan flatly said, “I’m not a Trump supporter, in any way, shape, or form. I’ve had the opportunity to have him on my show, more than once, and I’ve said no every time. I don’t want to help him. I’m not interested in helping him.” This statement was seen as a definitive rejection of Trump, but Rogan’s nuanced stance makes it clear that his opinions can shift with the political climate.
While Rogan has shown disdain for Trump’s personal qualities and some of his policies, he has also pointed out the flaws in the Democratic Party and mainstream media. Rogan remains a contrarian figure, often playing devil’s advocate on his show, and his commentary on Trump continues to reflect his broader political philosophy — skeptical of both extremes.
Joe Rogan’s relationship with Donald Trump is complicated and multi-faceted. It’s shaped by Rogan’s own libertarian values, his distaste for establishment politics, and his frustration with mainstream media narratives. While Rogan has criticized Trump’s behavior, especially his handling of the pandemic and his inflammatory rhetoric, he has also defended Trump against what he perceives as unfair media bias. As a populist figure himself, Rogan understands why Trump appeals to many, even though he doesn’t endorse him or support his policies. Trump, meanwhile, has recognized Rogan’s platform and influence, but the two have never directly interacted in a significant public way. The relationship is one of mutual awareness, where both figures have a prominent place in the ongoing culture wars, but without formal alignment or support.
Trump and Rogan’s conversation will draw a huge audience. Both have their share of supporters and detractors, and it will be fascinating to watch two of the best sh*t-talkers of our time, engage in a long-form conversation for the ages.
