Joe Rogan has finally called out Donald Trump on one of his most audacious claims—the idea that the 2020 election was stolen. During a conversation with Trump ahead of the 2024 election, Rogan directly asked the former president why he believed the election was rigged. Trump’s response was filled with vague accusations of “old-fashioned ballot screwing” and “phony votes,” but he grew defensive when Rogan pushed him further.
“I don’t think they have any evidence,” Rogan said on his podcast Tuesday. “I think there’s a lot of speculation and there’s a lot of consideration about mail-in ballots. There’s a lot of shenanigans. There’s a good record of shenanigans, and the reality is that any kind of electronics can be hacked.”
Rogan’s guest, comedian Dave Smith, also weighed in, noting, “It was one of the most interesting parts of your podcast with him was when you asked him about that, it was like he really didn’t have anything to back it up.” Rogan agreed, adding, “If that was you or me, and I knew something happened and had all the facts, I’d have that ready for anybody. For four f—ing years, they’ve been telling him he’s crazy for questioning the election, so after four years, I’d have a tight 10 minutes on the election and just rattle it off.”
Rogan’s interview with Trump was watched 26 million times on YouTube within its first 24 hours and was credited with helping boost Trump’s campaign, especially after Rogan refused to make room for Vice President Kamala Harris on the show. Rogan even endorsed Trump on the eve of the election and attended his inauguration. At the time, Rogan didn’t have any issues with Trump’s answers during the interview.
However, things have shifted since then, with some in the MAGA movement expressing disillusionment with Trump, especially after he failed to deliver on key promises to his base—such as exposing associates of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and focusing deportations on known criminals.
Rogan broke with Trump in July over the mass deportations, particularly targeting migrant workers. He said, “The targeting of migrant workers—not cartel members, not gang members, not drug dealers—just construction workers. Showing up in construction sites, raiding them. Gardeners. Like, really? I don’t think anybody would have signed up for that.”
Trump has also been under fire within the MAGA community for not addressing the Epstein case more aggressively. Despite complaints, Trump has tried to shift focus away from the issue. The Department of Justice released an interview with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s accomplice, but it hasn’t done much to quiet his critics.
Last month, Rogan went as far as to accuse Trump’s administration of “gaslighting” his supporters over the Epstein case. “There’s a line in the sand,” he said. “This is the one everybody’s been talking about forever, and they’re trying to gaslight you on that.”
