US elections 2024: Why Joe Rogan supported Donald Trump after his podcast with Elon Musk

Joe Rogan has publicly supported Donald Trump in his bid for the White House and confirmed on the social media platform X that billionaire Elon Musk had convinced him with the “most convincing arguments for Trump”. Rogan, known for his large following and influence, wrote, “For the record: Yes, this is an endorsement of Trump,” and shared a snippet of his recent interview with Musk, in which the two shared their views on Trump's controversial reputation and the way the media influences him had, in Rogan's words, “portrayed Trump as a monster.”
Rogan's endorsement came shortly after Trump's guest appearance on The Joe Rogan experiencewhere the former president led a three-hour conversation that covered topics from the 2020 election to his perceived failures during his first term. During the podcast, Trump repeated unsubstantiated claims that the 2020 election was “rigged,” but changed his mind when asked for concrete evidence. That conversation has since been viewed more than 45 million times on YouTube and garnered widespread attention as the November election approaches.

In the interview, Rogan and Musk reflected on Trump's career, with both expressing a mix of criticism and admiration. Musk recounted a memorable moment at the White House correspondents' dinner where Trump was openly mocked by then-President Obama. Musk, who attended the dinner, said he could clearly see Trump's anger, suggesting the experience only strengthened Trump's resolve to succeed. Rogan chimed in, suggesting that Trump's resilience and willingness to defend himself against criticism had only fueled his ambition.
Musk and Rogan discussed the intense scrutiny Trump has faced, with Rogan arguing that the portrayal of Trump as a “monster” is exaggerated. He pointed out that Trump's weaknesses are often highlighted in a way that ignores his qualities as a fighter, especially when compared to the expectations placed on other political figures. Musk agreed, noting that Trump's treatment at the correspondents' dinner seemed excessive and only served to solidify his commitment to the presidency.
Thanks, Joe: Trump
Rogan previously faced backlash from Trump supporters when he expressed support for then-independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who eventually withdrew from the race and endorsed Trump. After Kennedy's departure, Rogan made it clear that he was not officially endorsing Kennedy, but his comments had already sparked tensions.
Trump has enthusiastically embraced Rogan's support and acknowledged it at a rally in Pittsburgh on Monday. “Joe Rogan just endorsed me,” Trump announced to a cheering crowd, adding, “He's not a publicity guy, but he made an endorsement.” The former president also praised Rogan, Musk and political commentator Megyn Kelly, who also expressed her support for him.

Despite Rogan's recent endorsement, the Trump campaign is fully aware of the challenges ahead. Trump faces Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, who has also harnessed celebrity endorsements, with the likes of Lebron James, Oprah Winfrey and Taylor Swift endorsing her campaign. Harris had reportedly reached out to Rogan's team for a possible interview, but only under strict time and location restrictions, which ultimately resulted in a missed opportunity.