Spotify podcaster Joe Rogan accused the mainstream media of orchestrating a lengthy “psy-op” to distort public perception of President-elect Donald Trump.
Speaking on his widely popular podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience,” Rogan claimed that media outlets had deliberately shaped narratives to manipulate Americans into seeing Trump as a dangerous figure.
Describing the situation, Rogan called it “a massive, concentrated psy-op.”
“They’ve distorted who he is to the point where most people think that way,” he added. “Most people think that way. They’ve had narratives.”
It was a coordinated sychological operation
pic.twitter.com/tNStihsjcU— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 29, 2024
The media’s purported goal according to Rogan, was to intentionally alter perceptions through what he labeled as a “psychological operation.”
“They had control of the media up until now. This election was the first time they didn’t really have control of the media anymore,” he noted.
The UFC commentator pointed out that thanks to alternative journalism through social media and podcasts, Democrats had lost the ability to pedal their influence.
🚨🇺🇦Joe Rogan states that he rejected a Zelensky request to appear on his show to discuss Ukraine pic.twitter.com/wPGnmI9WDc
— SYMBOL OF HOPE🫡 (@Chipropro) November 29, 2024
In another episode, Rogan claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wanted to appear on his podcast to discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
However, Rogan clarified that the episode never came to be.
Whether the scheduling simply didn’t work out, or that Rogan declined the offer, was not made clear.
During his Thanksgiving Day podcast episode, Rogan discussed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Rogan reflected on the possibility of the crisis escalating into a global war, stating, ‘I don’t really think [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s that stupid.”
“My guess is that he’s figuring things out, and they’re working on a resolution,” he continued.
Rogan also mentioned conspiracy theorist Alex Jones during the show, citing Jones’s claim that Trump was allegedly hosting covert meetings at Mar-a-Lago. Rogan remarked, “I hope it’s true.”
Last week, Rogan faced backlash for criticizing Zelenskyy over Ukraine’s military tactics.
He seemed particularly incensed at U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine access to American-made missiles, which were subsequently used to strike targets within Russia.
Putin responded by firing his new Oreshnik missile, an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), that carries six warheads.
🔴 Putin test-fired the “Oreshnik” for the first time in combat against Ukraine on Thursday.
So secret was the missile’s development that little was known about it until footage emerged of the strike.
Here’s why it’s a warning to Britain ⬇️https://t.co/lNl6C103uE pic.twitter.com/R5FJOvsWm4
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) November 23, 2024
The new hypersonic weapon, which the Russian leader described as “unstoppable,” was fired into Dnipro, Ukraine on November 21.
Rogan lashed out, exclaiming, “Zelensky says Putin is terrified. F**k you, man. F**k you people. You people are about to start World War III.”‘
“Maybe that would be a good thing we would like to avoid from a dying former president,” he added bitterly.
His remarks outraged some listeners, including boxing legend and Ukrainian national Wladimir Klitschko.
Klitschko, who is the brother of Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko, promptly released a rebuttal video directed at Rogan.
. @joerogan , I disagree pic.twitter.com/tSGvwUnXOQ
— Klitschko (@Klitschko) November 24, 2024
“Joe Rogan, I listened to your latest podcast. I am sending you this video to let you know that I disagree,” Klitschko sounded off.
“Let me tell you that you’re repeating Russian propaganda – Putin’s Russia is in trouble. So they want to scare you and people like you,” he continued.
“His war was supposed to last three days, it has lasted three years thanks to the heroism and sacrifice of us Ukrainians.”
Joe Rogan calls out this administration for inciting WWIII on their way out pic.twitter.com/GOlPGWexG5
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) November 22, 2024
He pushed back against Rogan’s criticisms of U.S. military aid to Ukraine, insisting that such weapons are essential for Ukraine’s survival.
Klitschko accused Rogan of parroting Kremlin narratives, calling it “the weapon Putin wants you to wield: propaganda.”
He urged the podcaster to reconsider his stance, arguing that downplaying Putin’s aggression weakens global efforts to safeguard freedom.
“Putin’s Russia wants to destroy Ukraine quietly, they want America to stay quiet – not great,” Klitschko highlighted.
“A great America is not an America that abandons countries that defend freedom with their lives.”
Taking the discussion further, Klitschko proposed appearing as a guest on “The Joe Rogan Experience” to clarify these points and talk about them “like free men.”