In a surprise move just before Election Day, influential podcaster Joe Rogan publicly endorsed Republican nominee Donald Trump after a podcast episode with tech billionaire Elon Musk.
“The great and powerful @elonmusk. If it wasn’t for him, we’d be [in trouble],” Rogan tweeted. “He makes what I think is the most compelling case for Trump you’ll hear, and I agree with him every step of the way. For the record, yes, that’s an endorsement of Trump. Enjoy the podcast.”
Rogan’s endorsement of Trump marks a significant moment in the 2024 U.S. presidential race. Trump celebrated Rogan’s support during a rally in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, saying, “To me, it’s very big because he’s the biggest there is… Joe Rogan just endorsed me. Is that good? Thank you, Joe! That’s so nice. And he doesn’t do that.”
Rogan, known for his typically neutral stance and for hosting guests from across the political spectrum, had previously hesitated to invite Trump onto his show. However, less than two weeks before the election, Rogan finally sat down with the former president for an in-depth discussion in episode #2219 of The Joe Rogan Experience. The episode quickly became a major hit, surpassing 45 million views within ten days, making it Rogan’s second most popular episode of all time.
Currently, Rogan’s top episode is his 2018 conversation with Bob Lazar and Jeremy Corbell, which amassed 62 million views. Other high-ranking episodes include his interviews with whistleblower Edward Snowden (38 million views) and an earlier discussion with Musk (34 million views).
However, viewers noted difficulties in accessing the Trump episode on YouTube, with some alleging that the video-sharing platform, owned by Google, had restricted visibility of the episode in its search results. The episode was not trending on YouTube despite more than one million live viewers. Despite these limitations, the episode’s popularity surged, showcasing the power of Rogan’s platform and his audience’s interest in Trump’s campaign.
During the nearly three-hour interview, Rogan and Trump discussed a range of topics, including foreign policy, border security, government appointees, and the long-awaited release of the JFK assassination documents. They also touched on lighter subjects, such as boxing and mixed martial arts.
Musk’s influence on Rogan’s endorsement also highlights Musk’s strong involvement in the Trump campaign, where he has served as a vocal surrogate in recent months. Musk’s decision to support Trump stems from his views on economic policy, government efficiency, and freedom of speech—all issues Rogan has explored extensively on his podcast. Musk’s backing has added momentum to the Trump campaign, especially among younger voters and technology enthusiasts who follow both figures.
Rogan’s endorsement reflects the alignment of his and Trump’s perspectives on certain core issues. For years, Rogan has expressed frustration with conventional politics, federal regulation, and mainstream media narratives. In this election, his support for Trump marks a shift, underscoring his belief in Trump’s policies on free speech, economic autonomy, and border security—topics Rogan’s listeners have shown significant interest in.
Rogan’s last-minute endorsement is likely to impact voter perceptions, especially as his audience includes millions of listeners who seek alternative viewpoints. The timing of the endorsement, on the eve of the election, has added to the campaign’s final push, with Trump rallying support across crucial battleground states.