Joe Rogan rules Spotify despite Donald Trump's recent condemnation and appearance on rival podcasts
Joe Rogan is undoubtedly among the most popular and influential personalities in the world today and is widely known for having an online reach that surpasses most traditional news outlets/journalists/speakers.
Given his impact on contemporary media, it's no surprise that The Joe Rogan Experience (JRE) has topped Spotify charts once again despite recent developments that could potentially hurt Rogan's numbers. Per an X post by Jed I. Goodman, the JRE podcast has topped the streaming giant's weekly Top Podcast list (US), with comedian Theo Von's This Past Weekend in second place.
It's worth noting that Rogan's podcast garnered immense views despite the UFC commentator being slammed by Donald Trump for praising Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a recent episode of the show. However, Rogan later clarified that his comments weren't indicative of an endorsement.
Interestingly, Trump made an appearance on Von's podcast earlier this month, helping the comic's ratings skyrocket to second place on Spotify's Top Podcasts rankings. Marca reported that Von's show had never entered the top-ten list before Trump's visit.
When Joe Rogan explained why he didn't want Donald Trump on his podcast
As mentioned, Joe Rogan is among the biggest and most impactful voices in popular media today. The UFC commentator enjoys a vast following of loyal fans and is widely praised for speaking his mind on sensitive social/political topics without any filters or caution.
Given that Donald Trump has been a controversial and radioactive figure in American politics since 2016, many have wondered why Rogan hasn't interviewed the former POTUS on his podcast. This sentiment was particularly amplified in light of Trump's second presidential bid this year and Rogan's outspoken support for Robert F. Kennedey Jr.'s proposed policies on his show.
Back in 2021, Rogan spoke to the hosts of the Breaking Points show about potentially inviting Trump for a conversation. While Rogan's interviewed politicians in the past, he explained his aversion to having Trump on the JRE podcast and said:
"The problem is, it's a real problem in that I don't want anybody to be uncomfortable, and I don't think it's my role... If I'm talking to someone like him [Donald Trump], there are some uncomfortable things that have to be addressed."
Rogan continued:
"I do things if I think someone's cool, if I'm interested in someone or I think what their position is is fascinating. With him it was like, I don't want to help anybody in this race. I certainly don't want to help him, and I certainly don't want to help [Joe] Biden."
Catch Joe Rogan's comments below (57:50):