Joe Rogan Endorses Donald Trump for President, Citing Elon Musk's Influence

 

Influential podcast host Joe Rogan has publicly endorsed Donald Trump for president, attributing his decision to the compelling arguments made by entrepreneur Elon Musk. In a post on social media platform X, Rogan stated, “Musk makes what I think is the most compelling case for Trump you’ll hear, and I agree with him every step of the way,” adding, “For the record, yes, that’s an endorsement of Trump.”

Rogan’s endorsement comes alongside a nearly three-hour-long interview he conducted with Musk, which was shared on Monday. As one of the most popular podcasters globally, Rogan has a predominantly male audience and has previously interviewed Trump, garnering significant attention with the episode currently achieving 45 million views on YouTube.

At 57, Rogan is known for his eclectic background as a former mixed martial arts commentator, comedian, and game show host. His podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, is Spotify’s top offering, reflecting his appeal in an era characterized by skepticism toward traditional media. Rogan's long-form conversations with a diverse range of guests, from cultural figures like Kanye West to controversial figures like Edward Snowden and Alex Jones, have contributed to his massive following.

Despite his popularity, Rogan's views have drawn criticism and even led to calls for a boycott of Spotify, which signed a $100 million deal in 2020 to host his podcast and recently extended it to a reported $250 million. The platform has faced pressure to address the controversial content on Rogan’s show, with some episodes featuring conspiracy theorists and far-right figures being removed.

Concerns about Rogan’s influence grew during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading a group of 270 doctors and healthcare professionals to write an open letter to Spotify. They criticized Rogan for disseminating misinformation related to the virus, vaccines, and treatment options. The letter highlighted his promotion of unproven therapies and discouraged vaccination among young people, prompting responses from public health officials, including Dr. Anthony Fauci.

The backlash against Rogan intensified in early 2022 when musician Neil Young demanded that Spotify remove his music, claiming the platform was spreading misinformation about vaccines through Rogan’s show. This initiated a wider boycott, with various artists voicing their concerns over the podcast's content, particularly regarding race.

In response to the controversies, Spotify pledged to guide listeners toward accurate COVID-19 information and made its internal content guidelines public. Additionally, Rogan faced scrutiny for his use of racial slurs on the podcast, leading to a public apology.

Rogan's endorsement of Trump comes as no surprise given his history of controversial statements and influential guests. This is not the first time that Rogan's interactions with Musk have attracted media attention; a 2018 incident where Musk smoked a joint during a live segment on Rogan’s show even led to a decline in Tesla shares and the resignation of some company executives.

As the election approaches, Rogan’s endorsement adds another layer to the political landscape, with both supporters and critics poised to respond to his influence in shaping public opinion.