Joe Rogan and Donald Trump: A Complicated Dance Shaped by Media Attention, Political Influence, and Public Discourse

Joe Rogan and Donald Trump share an intriguing dynamic, shaped by a mix of media attention, political influence, and public discourse.

Former President Donald Trump is set to make his highly anticipated appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience on Thursday, according to multiple reports.

The interview will be recorded at Rogan’s Austin, Texas studio, a source familiar with the plans told Politico. The news was confirmed by a representative for Polymarket, a prediction platform that now puts the odds of Trump appearing on the show at 94%.

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.

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.