A highly anticipated conversation between former President Donald Trump and Joe Rogan premiered on YouTube and Spotify late Friday. This episode of The Joe Rogan Experience quickly racked up 13 million views on YouTube within just one night.
Trump and Rogan covered a lot of ground in their three-hour unscripted discussion, with Rogan starting the interview by addressing the media bias Trump has faced since becoming a political phenomenon. He recalled a 2015 appearance on "The View" where Trump was treated relatively friendly. Since then, Rogan noted that the media's portrayal of Trump has shifted dramatically, becoming increasingly dishonest and hyper-critical.
This set the stage for a wider discussion, with Trump reflecting on his presidency and admitting that some of his appointments were among his biggest mistakes. As he candidly acknowledged the challenges he faced in selecting the right people for his administration, he also floated the idea of Robert Kennedy Jr. playing a role in his next term. The conversation then shifted to the potential release of the John F. Kennedy files, a promise Trump made for his next term in office. They also delved into more speculative territory, discussing the existence of aliens, with both Trump and Rogan referencing credible testimonies from pilots.
Donald Trump just accomplished what Kamala Harris never could—take unscripted questions from Joe Rogan and answer them directly and clearly.
— The Vigilant Fox 🦊 (@VigilantFox) October 26, 2024
The conversation started with a bang as Rogan shed light on shocking footage from Trump’s 2015 appearance on The View.
You won't believe… pic.twitter.com/BlXSzZLKIP
Joe Rogan's Epic Interview of Donald Trump, Including What They Said About Kamala
Although I didn't find the discussion to be particularly exciting—often leaning towards the mundane—it was reminiscent of Trump’s unexpected moment working a fryer at McDonald's, which showcased a relatable and refreshing personal side of him. It's these personable moments that have become crystallized in Trump's campaign: his fist raised in the air after a bullet clipped his ear, the sadness and indignation in his eyes during his mugshot, his iconic image working the drive-through, and now this candid conversation on the Rogan podcast. Together, these moments create a multifaceted portrait of Trump that resonates with his supporters, emphasizing his humanity amidst the political chaos.
Another notable aspect was how unbitter Trump comes across, despite the persecution he has faced. This was especially striking given that his opponent had called the press to the Naval Observatory this week to compare him to Hitler. President Joe Biden has gone so far as to say Trump needs to be locked up while the Harris campaign continues to insist that Trump has an "enemies list." In the discussion, Rogan highlights how Trump chose not to incarcerate his opponent Hillary Clinton, quoting him on the rationale that it would be "bad for the country." This effectively undercuts both the Hitler narrative and the hyperbole surrounding potential retaliations in a second Trump administration.
What’s most significant about the podcast is that it captures a regular conversation with Trump— no frills, just candid dialogue. This stripped-down format allows listeners to engage with him on a personal level, providing insights that go beyond the usual sound bites and political theatrics. This is everything Kamala Harris cannot do; no matter how much analysts may pore over demographics and data after her potential loss, they’ll struggle to quantify her phoniness. You can’t capture authenticity in graphs of race, sex, age, or other biomarkers.
Ultimately, this podcast highlights not just Trump's appeal, but also the stark challenges Harris faces in connecting with the electorate. In a time when voters crave realness, it’s clear that authenticity will always outshine artifice. The Rogan podcast serves as yet another victory for the media-savvy Trump, reinforcing his ability to resonate with the electorate in a way that Harris struggles to replicate.
