Podcasts like Joe Rogan’s and Theo Von’s aren’t on the fringes. Their blend of off-the-cuff, Trump-leaning commentary blurs traditional lines between left and right – and offers listeners companionship
Summary
The “Rogansphere,” a sprawling ecosystem of podcasts and online shows led by figures like Joe Rogan, has become a powerful cultural force for younger audiences, functioning as a “Fox News for the young.”
With its mix of anti-establishment rhetoric, distrust of Democrats, and casual conversations blending left-leaning and conservative ideas, it normalizes figures like Donald Trump for a disillusioned, lonely audience—particularly young men.
Democrats risk underestimating its influence, as this ecosystem fosters deep listener loyalty and has contributed to a significant shift in young male voters toward Trump.
His show used to be great and he used to be middle of the road. Guests were fantastic: Graham Hancock, Rhonda Patrick, Duncan Trussel, - I learned a lot and it caused me to look into things I would have never dreamt of.
Then as the Spotify deal came closer, there was a shift in the show. Less middle of the road, less interesting guests. COVID happened and made things even worse to the point where I stopped watching. That used to be my favorite podcast.
Thanks for a real response. I agree that the show did used to be better like when he used to have Rob Zombie and the like on. Seemed like for a bit he was becoming more moderate again until right before the election.
He's didnt endorse him til the last minute. In fact he refused to, to Trump's face multiple times.
Harris was given many opportunities to come on the show but refused to do so under the same conditions her opponent did. Her team wanted to change the circumstances of the show too much and wouldn't come to him. Trump completely disregarded a preexisting obligation to go on his show.
If it were my show, I know who I would like better, putting politics aside. I feel like the Rogan episodes I've seen haven't really shown him to be conservative, but he platforms alot of conservatives which can be construed with him being conservative himself.
I think it's funny that anyone who actually talks about the show like they've heard a bunch of episodes gets downvoted while people just saying he's bad get up voted. It's more Lemmy echo chamber, in action.
What gymnastics? What message do you believe is being conveyed here?
People aren't all black and white. The more people try to demonize these guys and their viewers, the more credence is given to them when they say their detractors are out of touch or lying. When we make obviously disprovable things up about the right wingers, it destroys all credibility. There's real shit going on, and we need to stick to that.
At this point, the race is over. We need to learn from our mistakes, not double down on failed messaging.
Welcome to .world where everything is black or white and there are only two opinions - one of which is wrong. I’m not sure they (well, some of them) can even spell nuance.
It's crazy to me how honesty and truth are downvoted here. It truly is just reddit 2.0. I'm not a loyal Rogan watcher but from what I have watched he seems like a true middle of the road kinda guy. Talks about the benifits of weed and psychodelics and then also talks about hunting and other things. Sure he's had crazy conspiracy folks on. But he's always seemed to just let people talk.
I get what both of y'all are saying. I've seen his show a couple times, he takes an hour or so with someone on the edge of mainstream from either side and asks basic questions that pop into his head. That's the gist of it, and by itself, in a vacuum (or in the privacy of one's home, say) it's fine. I wanted to hear what his guests had to say on occasion.
That said, there's a lot of identification with power and dominance symbolism that happen all throughout it, and endorsing trump is unconscionable. I appreciate he's expanded his mind with DMT or whatever but seriously, whatever supplements he's on have suppressed some serious judgement pathways. I don't eat Subway 'cause they're still in ruzzia and I won't listen to Rogan for any reason now.
I totally forgot that if I drive on the left side of the road for a bit then swerve way off into the ditch past the right side of the road and stay there, I'm basically "a middle of the road kinda guy".
I think what they are saying is that Rogan has no values or principles and can easily endorse freedom and unfreedom thus averaging out to a middle position. Truly the most open minded individual can both believe the earth is a globe and flat.
Yeah I’ve only seen less than 20 of his videos, usually when it’s a guest he has on that I like (rob zombie, bill burr etc). One episode I watched he was even calling out Trump and saying he didn’t want him on the show.
You are exactly right, he lets people talk and he is great at keeping the interview feel organic and moving.
People downvoting because they prob never even listened to him and are just doing the echo chamber nonsense.
Kamala declined to be on with Rogan. I’m guessing you’ve never watched his show, but he is definitely not a “mouthpiece for MAGA”. If you bring up a few progressive topics and his opinions on them, you’ll see he’s actually much more left leaning than right, even if he himself doesn’t know it.
Again, enjoy the circle jerking of downvoting because you don’t agree with me. Look at my post history. You can see I’m no undercover MAGA. What I have done is actually watch his show and am more than capable of forming an opinion.
lol you keep editing your comments. Do you just call everyone you disagree with a fascist? How’s that working out for you? Winning a lot of people to the left?
Why do you keep calling me “champ”? Do you think that makes you sound cool or something lmao. Stop acting like a pencil dick and instead of calling everyone a fascist, why don’t you say why they are a fascist with some good points to back it up. Internet has enough trolls already and you’re not very good at it.