Longtime UFC commentator and podcast host Joe Rogan backed Donald Trump during the 2024 presidential election, but recent developments indicate he’s becoming increasingly critical of some of the president’s decisions.
While Rogan was once vocal in his support — even offering a formal endorsement ahead of the election — his stance appears to have shifted in recent months.
Lately, Rogan has voiced frustration with Trump over the way he handled the release of the Epstein files, his immigration enforcement policies, and comments he made regarding the death of filmmaker Rob Reiner.
Rogan hasn’t held back, previously describing Trump’s actions as “crazy” and “disappointing,” while also saying the president has “no empathy.”
Last month, Rogan also took issue with Trump’s decision to ramp up tensions with Iran, calling the move “insane” given the promises he made on the campaign trail.
“It just seems so insane based on what he ran on. I mean, this is why a lot of people feel betrayed. He ran on no more wars and these stupid, senseless wars. And then we have one that we can’t even really clearly define why we did it,” Rogan said on the most recent episode of his Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
This week, Rogan once again took aim at Trump, criticizing the president’s decision to strike Iran and suggesting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may have played a role.
“Why did we do it? I don’t know. I think because of Israel, if I had to guess,” Rogan said on Thursday. “Netanyahu kept visiting the White House. You think it’s a coincidence? Netanyahu keeps visiting the White House. And then eventually they decide to give in and start bombing.”
“How do you get out of this, and then what does the exit look like? Do we have troops over there forever now?” Rogan questioned.
These remarks came less than a week after Rogan appeared alongside Trump at the Resolute Desk during a presidential signing ceremony.
At this point, it’s clear he’s beginning to distance himself from the president, and it led to a lot of reactions on social media.
“Oh no you don’t, Joe. You were on the bridge of the SS MAGA. You go down with the ship,” one person wrote in a post on X.
“Rogan, a stopped clock being right twice a day, is right on the war. He was a moron for supporting Trump, and Iran is never going to bomb NYC or anyplace else in the U.S.,” someone else wrote.
“And then he’ll go crawling back to him. So, get lost,” another person added.
Clearly, Rogan has broken ranks with Trump on a number of things, and this is just another example.
About Dave Kelsey
Contributing author to The Comeback.