CNN’s chief media analyst Brian Stelter explained why he believes President Donald Trump remained friendly with podcaster (and critic) Joe Rogan, while lashing out at other MAGA influencers also criticizing the war in Iran.
“I think all this speaks to Joe Rogan’s unique power and his unique platform, Stelter said Saturday. “He’s not as clearly, obviously, always political as the other podcasters I mentioned earlier. He’s more entertaining. He appeals to a broader audience.”
Rogan has become more critical of Trump in recent months, once claiming he, the president, was “losing it” in December of last year, even after endorsing him in 2024.
The podcaster has seemingly distanced himself even further away from Trump’s MAGA fanbase, calling it “a movement of a bunch of fucking dorks” and openly claiming Democrat Hillary Clinton was “more MAGA than MAGA.”
In terms of the president’s agenda, Rogan has called out Trump’s “insane” immigration raids and slammed his war in Iran, claiming this is “why a lot of people feel betrayed.”
Rogan’s criticism of the war is similar to a number of MAGA-friendly personalities who once supported Trump, including Tucker Carlson, Candace Owens, Megyn Kelly and Alex Jones. However, the president distanced himself from those people and rebuked them, calling some of them “Low IQ” people.
Despite all that, Rogan made a surprise appearance at the Oval Office on Saturday, standing behind the president as he signed an executive order directing the FDA to expedite their review of certain psychedelics already designated as therapy drugs.
“We all respect Joe. He’s a little bit more liberal than I am,” Trump said before reporters laughed. “That’s OK. I have a lot of friends that are liberal. But Joe is an amazing guy.”
Stelter on Saturday said, “Maybe President Trump feels it’s best to keep Rogan close rather than cast him away.”
“And it’s also a reminder that people who endorsed Trump and are now critical of him, they often find a way back to Trump,” Stetler said. “So yes, Rogan is critical of the war in Iran, but he has other reasons to defend and support Trump and even show up for an Oval Office photo op.”
