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topicnews · September 19, 2024

Podcast superstar mocks Trump and praises Harris: “That’s Jiu-Jitsu”

Podcast superstar mocks Trump and praises Harris: “That’s Jiu-Jitsu”

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From: Daniel Dillmann

In his globally successful podcast, Joe Rogan examines the US election. His opinion could influence the race between Harris and Trump.

Washington, DC – Joe Rogan reaches more than ten million listeners with his shows. The comedian and UFC commentator is a globally recognized podcaster who regularly comments on political issues. He has spread false information about the coronavirus pandemic or supported Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential candidacy.

In his most recent episode, Rogan focused on the next US election in 2024. Together with his guest and fellow comedy star Tom Segura, he analyzed the TV debate before the presidential election.

Comedian and podcaster Joe Rogan, known as a right-wing figurehead, has spoken highly of Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 US election © Carmen Mandato/AFP

According to Joe Rogan, Kamala Harris uses “Jiu-Jitsu” against Donald Trump

Donald Trump did not fare well in this debriefing. Rogan noted that Trump was repeatedly lured into the trap by Kamala Harris. “That’s jiu-jitsu,” the martial artist commented on Harris’ strategy of speaking disparagingly about the audience at Trump’s rallies. “He couldn’t help himself,” Rogan said, describing Trump’s reaction, which he even mimicked for his audience: “My people are the best people!” I have the best people!”

Podcast guest Segura joined in the praise for Kamala Harris. They were much better prepared than Donald Trump, which was noticeable throughout the entire TV debate. As a former prosecutor, she had the situation well under control. They can obviously handle pressure well. Trump is funnier than Harris, Rogan concluded. “But we don’t necessarily want someone funny with their fingers on the control panel.”

Joe Rogan’s criticism of Donald Trump could influence the 2024 US election

Joe Rogan is certainly not the first or most famous personality in the USA to criticize Donald Trump. After the TV debate, pop superstar Taylor Swift announced that she would vote for Kamala Harris in the US election. Trump reacted with an outburst of anger on social media.

However, Rogan appeals to a completely different audience – one that probably has far more sympathizers for Trump and the Republicans. In his podcast, the 57-year-old stand-up comedian describes himself as non-partisan. But both his guests and his topics clearly place him in the cosmos of conservatives. In March of the election year, he criticized the then Democratic candidate, US President Joe Biden, calling him old and worn out and saying that he would “rather vote for Trump than for Biden.”

Shortly afterwards, he spoke out in favor of the election of independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Trump reacted in his own way: with an angry post on Truth Social. Although Trump and Rogan have, according to Rogan, never spoken to each other for long, they meet regularly at events of the martial arts organization UFC. Rogan works there as a commentator, and Trump is a welcome guest of UFC President Dana White.

Donald Trump visits the UFC. Bottom left, commentator Joe Rogan at work.
Donald Trump visits the UFC. Bottom left, commentator Joe Rogan at work. © IMAGO/Vanessa Carvalho

“Trump is finished”: Harris camp celebrates Joe Rogan’s comments

Kennedy has since withdrawn from the election campaign and is now supporting Donald Trump. However, it does not seem as if Joe Rogan will follow him. In his new episode, the podcaster even said that he now believes in a victory for Kamala Harris, referring to the current polls for the US election, which actually give the incumbent vice president a razor-thin lead.

The Democratic camp celebrated Joe Rogan’s apparent change of heart. “This is a big problem for Donald Trump,” wrote Tim Fullerton, the party’s strategy expert and former campaign manager for Barack Obama, on X. “If Joe Rogan turns against him and starts praising Kamala Harris, like he does here, Trump is finished.” Victor Shi celebrated the podcaster’s statements on X. “This is really good and great. Joe Rogan, who reaches a lot of young Republican men, just said that Kamala Harris hits the nail on the head.”

Joe Rogan spread conspiracy myths about the Democrats ahead of the 2024 US election

But the rest of the episode of his podcast proves that Joe Rogan’s support for Kamala Harris is only apparent. In this repeated episode of the 57-year-old podcaster, conspiracy myths such as the one that the Democrats are smuggling millions of immigrants into the USA in order to let them participate illegally in the US election, which they could then win with their votes.

A story that is reminiscent of the right-wing narrative of the “great population replacement” and at the same time conveys Trump’s theory of electoral fraud. Rogan then distributed a report by the news agency Reuters Report that Kamala Harris wore a hidden earpiece during the TV debate with Donald Trump has long since been exposed as fake news.

Things are getting exciting in the US election campaign

Be well informed with our free US election newsletter. Articles from our renowned partners, such as the Washington Post, provide you with the US perspective. Translated into German. Click here to subscribe to the US election compact newsletter.

Joe Rogan remains the unpredictable opinion maker he has always been. But in a race that threatens to be as close as the duel between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, even the smallest side note can make the difference in the end. (thin)

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