Trump Reacts to Rogan’s Endorsement of Kennedy

Former President Donald Trump has sharply criticized Joe Rogan following the podcast host’s endorsement of independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Rogan, who hosts “The Joe Rogan Experience,” a popular podcast with a significant following, has recently expressed his support for Kennedy, a move that could potentially impact Trump’s voter base.

On Thursday’s episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” Rogan described Kennedy as the only candidate who “makes sense to me,” highlighting that Kennedy was the only one who seemed genuine and not engaged in “gaslighting” or “manipulating” voters. Rogan’s comments came as polls suggest that Kennedy might siphon votes away from Trump in the upcoming election.

Rogan later clarified his position, stating that his remarks were not intended as a formal endorsement but rather an appreciation of Kennedy as a person who communicates with “civility and intelligence.”

Trump responded to Rogan’s remarks on Truth Social, the social media platform he owns. In a post, Trump mocked Rogan, questioning how loudly Rogan would be booed if he appeared at a UFC event, referencing Rogan’s role as a commentator for the UFC. Trump’s post included the hashtag “MAGA2024.” The UFC has a connection to Trump through Dana White, the UFC president and a close friend of Trump, who introduced him at the Republican National Convention earlier this year.

As of March, Rogan’s podcast boasted 14.5 million followers on Spotify and is generally associated with conservative views. However, Rogan’s political stance has been somewhat eclectic. He supported Bernie Sanders during the 2020 Democratic primaries but later expressed a preference for Trump over Biden once Sanders lost the nomination.

Rogan’s endorsement of Kennedy is notable amid predictions that Kennedy could impact the presidential race by drawing more votes from Trump than from Vice President Kamala Harris. Kennedy initially ran as a Democratic primary challenger to President Joe Biden but later shifted to an independent run. This change has raised concerns within both major parties about Kennedy’s potential to disrupt the election dynamics.

Polling data indicates that Kennedy could draw votes from both major parties, but it might be Trump who could be more adversely affected. According to a Washington Post analysis, several national polls suggest that Harris’ lead over Trump widens when Kennedy is included as an option. FiveThirtyEight’s latest polling average places Kennedy at around 5%, which could influence the 2.1% gap between Harris (45.5%) and Trump (43.4%).

Rogan launched “The Joe Rogan Experience” in 2009. As of March, the podcast had nearly three times as many followers as its closest competitor, “Ted Talks Daily.” Spotify secured the exclusive rights to the podcast for an estimated $200 million, with The Washington Post reporting an average of 11 million listeners. Earlier this year, the Wall Street Journal disclosed a new deal with Spotify worth up to $250 million. Despite its popularity, the podcast has faced criticism for featuring far-right figures and spreading misinformation, particularly related to Covid-19. Kennedy, known for his vaccine skepticism and controversial theories about the virus, has been part of this contentious discourse.

In a surprising twist, Trump and Kennedy have had some interaction. Kennedy reportedly considered endorsing Trump last month, but Trump’s associates did not offer a position in the administration, according to The Washington Post. Additionally, Kennedy inadvertently shared a video of a phone conversation with Trump, where they discussed vaccines and other topics.

Overall, Rogan’s support for Kennedy and the ensuing exchange between Trump and Rogan reflect the complex and shifting dynamics of the current presidential race, as candidates and influencers alike navigate the evolving political landscape.