Podcast host calls independent candidate for president a ‘legitimate guy’ but says he is not offering endorsement
Robert F Kennedy Jr’s independent presidential campaign may be seeing poll numbers fall and funds dwindle, amid bizarre tales about brain worms and pranks with dead bears and accusations of dangerous conspiracy mongering, but he has nonetheless secured a sought-after supporter: Joe Rogan.
The popular podcaster appeared to offer his endorsement on Thursday, saying Kennedy was “the only one that makes sense to me”.
Rogan was referring to Kennedy’s work in the years before he became widely known as a vaccine conspiracy theorist – views which last weekend led John Oliver, host of Last Week Tonight on HBO, to call Kennedy “a full-blown menace”.
“You don’t get to say ‘I’m not anti-vaxx’ then wander around the woods telling people not to vaccinate their babies like you’re some red-pilled version of Smoky the Bear,” Oliver said, adding: “The idea of RFK is appealing but so many of the reasons to support him do not stand up to the slightest of scrutiny.”
Rogan disagrees. Democrats and Republicans, he told listeners, “gaslight you, they manipulate you, they promote narratives – and the only one who is not doing that is Robert F Kennedy Jr”.
Rogan has also voiced vaccine conspiracy theories, causing controversy he references in a new Netflix comedy special, saying: “Before Covid, I would have told you that vaccines are the most important invention in human history. After Covid, I’m like, ‘I don’t think we went to the moon. I think Michelle Obama’s got a dick. I think Pizzagate is real. I think there’s direct energy weapons in Antarctica.’
“I’m just kidding – I don’t think Michelle Obama’s got a dick, but I believe all of that other shit.”
Rogan has a huge audience, with more than 14.5 million listeners just on Spotify, which this year gave him a deal worth a reported $250m.
Accepting Rogan’s earlier support, Kennedy said: “This election is not about left vs right. It’s about Americans of goodwill coming together to end the tyranny of corruption in our system – so that we once again have a government and economy that works for all people.”
He also recalled the moment after the attempt on Trump’s life in July, pointing to the moment the former president raised his fist to the sky and exclaimed, “fight”, Rogan said it was “one of the most American fucking things of all time”.
He added that he’s “not the guy to get political information from”.
Kennedy is a member of a famous Democratic family: his father was Robert F Kennedy, the US attorney general and New York senator who was killed in Los Angeles in 1968, his uncle John F Kennedy, the 35th president who was killed in Dallas in 1963.
Now 70, Kennedy first ran for the Democratic presidential nomination before switching to be an independent.
He has struggled to gain ballot access and polling now gives him about 5% support: nowhere near enough to win the White House but enough to tip the result in battleground states that will decide a tight election between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
Last week, Rogan said he thought Harris could win, adding: “I’m not saying it because I think she’s going to, and I’m not saying it because I want her to. I’m just being honest. I could see her winning.”
Kennedy has flirted with backing Trump, the two men reportedly discussing a cabinet role for Kennedy – as secretary for health and human services.
On Friday, Trump seemed displeased by Rogan’s decision to endorse Kennedy.
“It will be interesting to see how loudly Joe Rogan gets BOOED the next time he enters the UFC Ring,” the former president wrote on his Truth Social platform, referring to a shared interest in professional mixed martial arts.
Rogan’s Comments Spark Backlash from Trump Supporters
Rogan’s comments sparked a furious response from Trump supporters on social media, with X user Catturd, who has over 2.7 million followers on the platform, branding him “absolutely politically dumb” and “the podcast Equivalent of a dumb blonde joke”.
Kennedy thanked Rogan for his remarks on X, writing: “From one ‘legitimate’ guy to another, thank you Joe Rogan for always putting substance first…
“This election is not about left vs right. It’s about Americans of goodwill coming together to end the tyranny of corruption in our system – so that we once again have a government and economy that works for all people. Let’s do this.”
The podcaster said: “For the record, this isn’t an endorsement. This is me saying that I like RFKjr as a person, and I really appreciate the way he discusses things with civility and intelligence. I think we could use more of that in this world.
“I also think Trump raising his fist and saying ‘fight!’ after getting shot is one of the most American f****** things of all time.”
Other Figures Face Backlash from Trump Supporters
Earlier this month, Kyle Rittenhouse, who was acquitted of murder after shooting two demonstrators dead during a Black Lives Matter protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in August 2020, came under sharp criticism from Trump supporters after saying he wouldn’t vote for the former president in November.
In a since-deleted video, shared to X, Rittenhouse said: “Hi, I’m Kyle Rittenhouse, Outreach Director for Texas gun rights. A lot of people are upset that I said that I’m going to be writing in Ron Paul for president of the United States, and that is true, I will be writing in Ron Paul.
“Unfortunately, Donald Trump had bad advisers, making him bad on the Second Amendment, and that is my issue,” Rittenhouse added.
“If you cannot be completely uncompromisable on the Second Amendment, I will not vote for you, and I will write somebody else in. We need champions for the Second Amendment or our rights would be eaten away and eroded each day. I support my decision and I have no takebacks.”
Rittenhouse later reversed course after a barrage of attacks from Trump supporters, writing on X that he had had “a series of productive conversations with members of the Trump’s team and I am confident he will be the strong ally gun owners need to defend our Second Amendment rights.”
Rogan's Walk Back
Rogan’s walk back from his initial comments about Kennedy comes as the former president has been attempting to consolidate his support within the Republican Party. He has been critical of the Republican establishment and has sought to portray himself as the only candidate who can defeat President Joe Biden in the 2024 election.
Trump’s efforts to consolidate his support have been met with mixed results. Some Republicans have been hesitant to embrace Trump’s candidacy, while others have been more supportive. It remains to be seen whether Trump will be able to unite the Republican Party behind him in the 2024 election.
While Rogan’s initial comments about Kennedy may have been seen as a sign of the podcaster’s political leanings, his subsequent clarification suggests that he is more focused on his own brand than on supporting any particular candidate. This approach is likely to continue as the 2024 election cycle progresses, with Rogan likely to continue to court audiences across the political spectrum. It’s possible that his own brand is more valuable than any political endorsement.
Kennedy's Campaign
Kennedy's presidential campaign has been marred by controversy. In addition to his views on vaccines, Kennedy has also been criticized for his views on other issues, such as his opposition to abortion and his skepticism about climate change. His supporters argue that he is a refreshing alternative to the two major political parties, while his critics believe that he is a fringe figure with dangerous views.
Kennedy's campaign has been struggling to gain traction. He has been unable to secure significant funding, and his poll numbers have been consistently low. However, he has managed to get his name on the ballot in a number of states, and he has been able to attract a following of supporters who are disillusioned with the current political system.
The Future of the 2024 Election
The 2024 election is shaping up to be a closely contested race. Biden has indicated that he will run for re-election, and Trump has already launched his campaign. The field of candidates is still taking shape, and it is likely that there will be a number of other contenders who emerge in the coming months. The outcome of the election will depend on a number of factors, including the state of the economy, the candidates' positions on key issues, and the level of voter turnout.
The Impact of Rogan’s Comments
It remains to be seen whether Rogan’s initial comments about Kennedy will have any lasting impact on the 2024 election. It is possible that his remarks will energize some of Kennedy’s supporters, but it is also possible that they will have little impact on the outcome of the race.
In the meantime, Rogan’s comments have provided a glimpse into the complex and often unpredictable dynamics of the 2024 election cycle. The race is still very much up for grabs, and the outcome will likely be determined by a number of factors, including the candidates’ positions on key issues, the state of the economy, and the level of voter turnout.
