Joe Rogan speaks out after Donald Trump and MAGA fans fume over podcast moment

Joe Rogan has clarified a controversial moment on his podcast after some fans were infuriated by what they heard.

Joe Rogan has clarified he is not endorsing independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the US presidential race after Donald Trump supporters were offended by a moment on his podcast.

Speaking on the country’s number one podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, the 56-year-old said Mr Kennedy was “the only one” who was not gaslighting and manipulating voters.

“I am a fan. He is the only one that makes sense to me,” Rogan said.

But the popular podcaster was forced to clarify his high praise for the Kennedy after the episode aired.

“For the record, this isn’t an endorsement,” Rogan wrote on social media platform X.

“This is me saying that I like RFKjr as a person, and I really appreciate the way he discusses things with civility and intelligence. I think we could use more of that in this world.

“I also think Trump raising his fist and saying ‘fight!’ after getting shot is one of the most American f***ing things of all time.

“I’m not the guy to get political information from.”

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Picture: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images/AFP

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a member of America’s most famous political family. He is the nephew of the President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963.

His father Robert “Bobby” F. Kennedy was also assassinated in 1968 while running for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Mr Kennedy Jr. is running as an independent presidential candidate in November’s election.

He has a been criticised for promoting anti-vaccine misinformation and conspiracy theories.

He also has a history of strong views on pro-enviromental issues – having spent decades as an environmental lawyer who sued polluters.

On his podcast, Rogan had said: “They do it on the left, they do it on the right; they gaslight you, they manipulate you, they promote narratives, and the only one who is not doing that is Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

“I am a fan. He is the only one that makes sense to me. He’s the only one that doesn’t attack people. He attacks actions and ideas. But he’s much more reasonable and intelligent.”

Rogan admitted he used to think Mr Kennedy was a “conspiracy theorist nut” until changing his mind when reading his book, The Real Anthony Fauci.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump lashed out at Rogan over his support for Mr Kennedy. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP

Mr Kennedy was thrilled with the compliment, sharing a clip and thanking Rogan on X “for always putting substance first”.

“This election is not about left vs. right. It’s about Americans of goodwill coming together to end the tyranny of corruption in our system – so that we once again have a government and economy that works for all people. Let’s do this,” he wrote.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump was not so pleased.

“It will be interesting to see how loudly Joe Rogan gets BOOED the next time he enters the UFC Ring??? MAGA2024,” he wrote on Truth Social, the social media site he owns.

Right wing commentator Jack Posobiec said the moment was further evidence that Rogan was quietly anti-Trump.

“Now you know why Rogan has a blacklist of pro-Trump people on his show,” he wrote on social media, highlighting Rogan’s praise of Kennedy.

MAGA fans raged on social media too — accusing Rogan of officially endorsing Mr Kennedy Jr. despite the podcaster’s explanation for the confusion.

“Joe Rogan said RFK Jr. ‘is the only one who makes sense to me’. That’s an endorsement,” one said.

“Rogan is, of course, free to clarify and change his mind. But his words were reasonably interpreted as an endorsement. President Trump is our only hope to save America in this election.”

“Endorse Trump or get the f**k out you coward,” another wrote. “You either want to save America or you don’t.”

Grow some balls and support Trump. End of discussion,” added another.

Originally published as Joe Rogan speaks out after Donald Trump and MAGA fans fume over podcast moment