Former President Donald Trump is pulling out all the stops as he looks to win back the presidency, and one of his latest moves has him sitting down for one of the biggest media interviews of his campaign—an episode of Joe Rogan's podcast. Rogan, known for his broad-reaching audience and engaging style, offers Trump the chance to connect with young male voters, a demographic the Trump campaign is actively courting.
On Friday evening, Trump delayed his scheduled rally at the Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, Michigan, by several hours to record the nearly three-hour interview with Rogan at his studio in Austin, Texas. The audience at the airport, braving chilly temperatures, was not pleased. Many of Trump's supporters began to leave by the time he finally arrived. Trump later issued his apology to the crowd, explaining the delay was due to his meeting with Rogan, the person he called, "the nation’s most listened-to podcaster."
Once he hit the stage, Trump blamed his tardiness on their conversation and assured the crowd, “We’re going to have a good time tonight.” The former president’s remarks came right as excitement was building for his return to the rally, as video screens flashed images of his plane landing and him making his way off.
Inside the podcast recording, Trump revisited many of his signature themes. Throughout the conversation, he reiterated claims about the 2020 election, asserting he was "robbed" and lamented the alleged lack of action from judges on the election, insisting, "The judges didn’t have what it took to turn over the election." Rogan, playing the role of fair interviewer, prodded Trump for specifics on his claims, making it clear he was willing to explore even the murky waters of election denial without casting judgment.
This episode, titled "The Joe Rogan Experience," attracted hundreds of thousands of views almost instantly after its release. Rogan reassured his followers on social media, dispelling any myths about censorship hindering the episode's availability. He attributed any delays to technical glitches, affirming his platform's resilience and reliability.
Rogan’s interview styles have evolved significantly since he first launched his podcast, which has grown to have over 14 million Spotify followers and 17.5 million YouTube subscribers. Over the years, he has hosted diverse guests, from comedians and scientists to politicians and public figures, delving deep with them on everything from health to the supernatural. Trump’s decision to sit down with him showcases just how effective Rogan’s platform has become, particularly among the younger demographic.
It's interesting how Rogan's relationship with Trump has changed over time. Just two years ago, Rogan publicly stated he didn’t want to host Trump on his show, referring to him as “an existential threat to democracy.” Yet, this time, he seemed open to exploring Trump’s positions, often accommodating his narrative with light probing questions. After surviving an assassination attempt earlier this year, Rogan appeared to have reconsidered this stance, stating, “Once they shot you, I was like, ‘He’s got to come in here.’”
While the content of the podcast was familiar territory for Trump, he did allow for some unexpected topics, like discussing whether there’s life on Mars. When challenged about his previous disbelief, Trump wavered, recalling instances where pilots had reported spotting “very strange things” and left the door open for possibilities of extraterrestrial life. Rogan, quick to interject facts, reminded Trump about the extensive exploration done on Mars, which to this day has yet to show any sign of life.
During their conversation, the former president also revisited his tax plans, voicing his casual support for eliminating the federal income tax. This comment did not go unnoticed, as the idea was asked about directly during their conversation. “Yeah, sure, why not?" he responded when pressed. The mention of tax elimination aligns with his economic principles from years past where he emphasized tariffs over traditional taxation. Even so, experts have warned such measures could add trillions to the national debt.
Interestingly, Trump also addressed his possible collaboration with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., saying he’s “completely committed” to working alongside him should he win. Here, he indicated some apprehension about Kennedy’s environmental views, humorously remarks, “But the only thing I want to be careful about with him is the environmental. Because he doesn’t like oil, I love oil and gas.”
On the political stage, the dynamics were equally charged. Just hours after Trump’s interview, Vice President Kamala Harris was seen holding her own rally, bolstered by celebrity endorsement from Beyoncé. Harris’s rally focused heavily on themes of reproductive rights following the Supreme Court's overturn of Roe v. Wade, contrasting Trump's rhetoric concerning immigration and crime—from which he claimed America had become "a garbage can for the rest of the world to dump the people they don’t want."
Throughout the evening, the political atmosphere thickened between the two candidates. While the historical backdrop underscored the contentious relationship between Trump and Harris, the media fray around the campaign only escalated. Both candidates have opted for innovative strategies to garner young voters, showcasing the importance of podcast appearances and celebrity partnerships over traditional media outlets.
Trump's decision to embrace this new form of media is stark. It reflects a realization of where voter attention is being directed and the most viable paths to reach them. While Trump’s interview with Rogan might typically disregard conventional campaign wisdom, his push to connect with the vibrant podcasting community marks the former president’s unyielding quest to engage new swathes of the electorate. With just over a week until the election, both Harris and Trump continue vying for the spotlight, balancing their celebrity appeal with pressing political initiatives.
Trump’s approach with Rogan stands as emblematic of the ever-evolving nature of electoral politics today, illustrating the lengths campaigns will go to connect with target audiences, untraditional platforms, and continuous engagement through community-driven media.
