Podcast host Joe Rogan announced his support for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential race, sharing his support on social media and saying tech mogul Elon Musk influenced his decision. Posting on X (formerly known as Twitter), Rogan shared a link to a lengthy interview with Musk, calling him “the great and powerful Elon Musk.” In his post, Rogan said: “Musk makes, in my opinion, the most compelling case for Trump you will hear, and I agree with him every step of the way.” He clarified that his post was indeed an expression of support for Trump.
This announcement comes just before the election and highlights the influence Rogan has, with his podcast ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ being the most popular on Spotify. In recent years, Rogan’s show has attracted millions of listeners by featuring in-depth conversations with a wide range of guests, from controversial figures to celebrities. He recently hosted Trump himself, and their interview has already been viewed 45 million times on YouTube. Rogan is also reportedly in talks to interview Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.
Rogan’s support for Trump has contributed to ongoing discussions about his impact in the media. Known for his unfiltered style and entertaining guests with strong opinions, Rogan has courted controversy over the years. His comments during the COVID-19 pandemic sparked criticism from health experts, who accused him of spreading misinformation. For example, in January 2022, a group of scientists and medical professionals wrote an open letter to Spotify, warning that Rogan’s podcast had spread misinformation about COVID-19, including claims against vaccination for young people and promoting the drug ivermectin as a treatment. . The letter cited concerns that Rogan’s influence could lead to distrust in medical advice and science.
In response to the backlash, Spotify added links to accurate COVID-19 information on related episodes and made their content guidelines public. The controversy escalated when musician Neil Young pulled his music from Spotify to protest the platform’s association with Rogan’s podcast. Other performers joined in, with some pointing out additional criticisms of the show, such as racially charged comments from some of Rogan’s guests.
Rogan has addressed some controversies head-on. In early 2022, he apologized for using offensive language on his show after a video surfaced of him making racist comments multiple times in previous episodes. Spotify, which signed Rogan to a $100 million deal in 2020, removed certain episodes featuring far-right guests or conspiracy theorists to soften further backlash. More recently, Rogan’s influence has become even stronger, with his latest contract rumored to be worth around $250 million.
This endorsement by Trump, just before the election, underlines Rogan’s influence on his predominantly male audience. Meanwhile, his history with Musk has also attracted attention, as the two have often made headlines together. Their most famous incident occurred in 2018, when Musk smoked a joint during Rogan’s show, leading to Tesla’s stock plummet and the resignation of several executives.
Rogan’s public support for Trump has further emphasized his role as a cultural force, with Musk’s influence clearly shaping his choice in the 2024 election.