Podcast host Joe Rogan announced his support for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential race, sharing his endorsement on social media and saying that tech mogul Elon Musk influenced his decision. Rogan, who posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), shared a link to a lengthy interview with Musk and called him “the great and powerful Elon Musk.” In his post, Rogan said, “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.” He clarified that his post was, indeed, an endorsement of 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 drawn in millions of listeners by featuring in-depth conversations with a wide range of guests, from controversial figures to celebrities. Recently, he hosted Trump himself, and their interview has already garnered 45 million views on YouTube. Rogan is also reportedly in talks to interview Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.
Rogan’s support for Trump has added to the ongoing discussions around his impact in media. Known for his unfiltered style and hosting guests with strong opinions, Rogan has sparked controversies over the years. His comments during the COVID-19 pandemic led to criticism from health experts, who accused him of spreading misinformation. For instance, in January 2022, a group of scientists and medical professionals wrote an open letter to Spotify, warning that Rogan’s podcast had been spreading inaccurate information 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 artists joined in, with some pointing out additional criticisms of the show, such as racially charged remarks made by some of Rogan’s guests.
Rogan has addressed some of the controversies directly. In early 2022, he apologized for using offensive language on his show after a video surfaced showing him using a racial slur multiple times in past episodes. Spotify, which signed Rogan in a $100 million deal in 2020, removed certain episodes featuring far-right guests or conspiracy theorists to mitigate further backlash. More recently, Rogan’s influence has grown even stronger, with his latest contract rumored to be worth around $250 million.
This Trump endorsement, just before the election, underscores Rogan’s influence on his mostly male, large audience. Meanwhile, his history with Musk has also drawn attention, as the two have frequently made headlines together. Their most famous incident came in 2018, when Musk smoked a joint on Rogan’s show, leading to Tesla’s stock drop and the resignation of some executives.
Rogan’s public support for Trump has further highlighted his role as a cultural force, with Musk’s influence clearly shaping his choice in the 2024 election.
