Joe Rogan is attracting attention after directing some surprisingly harsh words at supporters of President Donald Trump — despite having endorsed Trump himself during the 2024 presidential election.
During a conversation with comedian Ron White on The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan described Trump supporters as “rabid” and used an expletive while calling them “nuts.”
The remarks came as Rogan and White discussed the backlash surrounding country music star Jelly Roll after the singer made jokes about Trump during a guest-hosting appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
For Rogan, who gave Trump one of his most prominent podcast appearances of the 2024 campaign and later endorsed him, the criticism represented a striking turn in tone.
Joe Rogan Criticizes Trump Supporters
Rogan’s comments came while defending Jelly Roll against criticism over his late-night comedy appearance.
Rogan said people familiar with Jelly Roll know him as a good person and argued that his comments about Trump should be understood in the context of a comedy monologue.
He also said he found a montage highlighting Trump’s past remarks about people’s weight amusing.
The conversation then shifted from Jelly Roll to Trump’s supporters.
Rogan said some of them appeared intensely devoted to the president and suggested that Trump represents more than simply another political figure to those voters.
“Trump supporters are f***ing nuts, man. They’re rabid,” Rogan said during the conversation.
While the original remark contained profanity, its larger point was Rogan’s criticism of what he views as excessive loyalty toward political leaders.
Rogan Says Trump Represents Something Bigger to Supporters
Rogan continued by arguing that Trump represents the kind of leader some Americans believe the country has been missing.
But Rogan broadened the discussion beyond Trump.
He suggested that Americans sometimes place unrealistic expectations on political leaders, viewing one individual as the person who will finally solve the nation’s problems.
According to Rogan, that tendency can lead voters to treat political figures differently from previous leaders.
White agreed with portions of Rogan’s argument and said people facing difficult circumstances can naturally be attracted to politicians who promise hope or significant improvements in their lives.
The discussion later touched on Sen. Bernie Sanders, with White using Sanders as another example of a political figure whose economic message can appeal strongly to voters who feel financially left behind.
Rogan Endorsed Trump in the 2024 Election
Rogan’s criticism is particularly noteworthy because he publicly supported Trump during the 2024 presidential race.
Trump appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience in October 2024 for a lengthy interview that became one of the campaign’s biggest podcast moments.
The episode generated tens of millions of views and provided Trump with access to Rogan’s massive audience, including many younger male listeners.
Just before Election Day, Rogan formally endorsed Trump.
Rogan announced his support while promoting an interview with Elon Musk, saying Musk had presented what Rogan viewed as a compelling argument for Trump’s candidacy.
Trump went on to defeat Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
Why Kamala Harris Never Appeared on Joe Rogan’s Podcast
Harris’ campaign also explored the possibility of appearing on Rogan’s program during the presidential race.
An interview never happened.
Reuters reported during the campaign that Harris ultimately declined an appearance after discussions between her team and Rogan’s representatives.
That left Trump with one of the most closely watched podcast appearances of the election.
The episode also reflected a broader change in presidential campaigning as candidates increasingly looked beyond television networks and newspapers to podcasts, YouTube programs and other digital platforms.
Jelly Roll’s Trump Jokes Sparked Backlash
The latest Rogan controversy began with Jelly Roll’s appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
While guest-hosting the ABC late-night program, Jelly Roll delivered several jokes involving Trump.
Some Trump supporters objected to the material, prompting a response from the country star.
Jelly Roll later pushed back against the idea that making jokes about Trump automatically placed him on one side of the political divide.
Rogan defended Jelly Roll’s approach, characterizing the comments as comedy rather than evidence of a broader political transformation.
That discussion eventually led Rogan into his much stronger criticism of some Trump supporters.
Rogan Has Long Resisted Political Labels
Although Rogan endorsed Trump in 2024, his political views have not always fit neatly within traditional Republican or Democratic categories.
Over the years, the podcast host has interviewed and spoken positively about figures from different parts of the political spectrum while also criticizing politicians from both major parties.
His enormous audience has nevertheless made his political comments increasingly significant.
The Joe Rogan Experience has become one of the world’s most prominent podcasts, giving politicians, entertainers, athletes and other public figures access to millions of listeners through conversations that frequently last several hours.
That influence became especially apparent during the 2024 campaign.
Trump’s appearance demonstrated how podcasts could provide presidential candidates with an alternative to conventional television interviews and campaign appearances.
Rogan Raises a Broader Question About Political Loyalty
Rogan’s latest remarks were not limited to criticism of Trump voters.
His broader argument centered on the relationship Americans have with political leaders.
Rogan suggested that voters can sometimes elevate politicians into figures who are expected to rescue the country or personally solve problems that are far larger than one individual.
White similarly argued that voters experiencing economic or personal hardship can be particularly receptive to politicians promising major change.
Their conversation therefore moved beyond one politician or political party and into a wider discussion about why voters become intensely attached to particular leaders.
A Striking Moment After Rogan’s Trump Endorsement
Rogan’s comments stand out because of his prominent role in Trump’s successful 2024 campaign.
He interviewed Trump, praised arguments supporting Trump’s candidacy and ultimately endorsed him.
Now Rogan is openly criticizing what he sees as excessive devotion among some of the same voters who supported Trump’s return to the White House.
That does not necessarily mean Rogan has withdrawn his previous support for Trump. His remarks during the conversation focused primarily on the behavior and attitudes of some supporters rather than announcing a new political endorsement or repudiation.
But coming from one of America’s most influential podcasters — and a high-profile Trump voter himself — Rogan’s comments are certain to keep people talking.