Politics
Joe Rogan Responds After TV Exec Accuses Him Of ‘Preying On People’s Vulnerabilities’
Top-rated podcast host Joe Rogan was just as confused as everyone else when an Australian television executive accused him of “preying on people’s vulnerabilities” in an unhinged press conference.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation chairman Kim Williams gave the bizarre comment in response to a question about Vice President Kamala Harris decision to skip an appearance on the show. While Rogan invited the vice president, her team would only consent to an hour-long interview and refused to travel to his Austin studio.
Rogan’s podcast is known for long-form, candid conversations that frequently last for several hours. President-elect Donald Trump appeared on the podcast less than two weeks before Election Day and spoke with Rogan for just about three hours. At 52,000,000 YouTube views, the Trump-Rogan interview is on pace to become the most popular episode in the long-running podcast’s history.
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While addressing Australian National Press Club, Williams was asked about Trump’s massive gains with male voters and whether Kamala’s decision to skip the Rogan interview was a poor strategic decision.
“Look, I’m not sure that I’m the right person to respond to that question. I am not a consumer or enthusiast about Mr Rogan and his work,” Williams responded, drawing laughs from Australian journalists.
“I think people like Mr Rogan prey on people’s vulnerabilities. They prey on fear. They prey on anxiety. They prey on all of the elements that contribute to uncertainty in society, and they entrepreneur fantasy outcomes and conspiracy outcomes as being a normal part of social narrative,” he continued.
“I personally find it deeply repulsive and to think that someone has such remarkable power in the United States is something that I look at in disbelief. I’m also absolutely in dismay that this can be a source of public entertainment when it’s really treating the public as plunder for purposes that are really quite malevolent.”
It is unclear what Williams was talking about, as Rogan has hosted dozens of lawmakers and political pundits from the entire political spectrum. Prior to the 2024 Election, Rogan had long described himself as a liberal and opted to endorse Bernie Sanders’ presidential bid in 2020. He also endorsed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. before endorsing Trump during election week.
The podcast host soon responded to the viral clip, writing “LOL WUT” in an X post.
“From the head of Australian government-funded media, their Pravda,” added X owner Elon Musk, referencing the Soviet Union’s state-funded newspaper.
From the head of Australian government-funded media, their Pravda https://t.co/T9KCf6oNbk
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 27, 2024
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