Podcaster Joe Rogan expressed criticism towards President Trump before a UFC event at the White House, focusing on Trump’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and the ongoing conflict in Iran. Rogan, who once endorsed Trump’s 2024 campaign, aired his concerns about the incomplete release of files related to Epstein. During a Friday episode of The Joe Rogan Experience with guest Cameron Hanes, Rogan said, “We’re all pissed. We all thought that, you know, all that stuff was going to be released right after the election. It’s gonna, we’re gonna drain the swamp and find all the pedophiles.”
Cameron Hanes noted there was some progress in Trump’s earlier term, which kept his hopes alive for Trump’s return. Hanes remarked, “I don’t even know what it is,” indicating uncertainty about further actions.
Previously critical of the U.S. approach to the war in Iran, Rogan voiced his opinions about the conflict. “Well, it would have been a whole lot different for—first of all, if we didn’t bomb Iran,” he stated, questioning the necessity of the military actions. According to Pakistani officials, a tentative U.S.-Iran agreement might end the conflict, with a lifting of Iran’s Strait of Hormuz closure and U.S. port blockades. Negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program and sanction removal are set to commence, with a potential deal signing expected.
Rogan, who was set to provide commentary at the White House UFC event on Trump’s 80th birthday, argued that U.S. voters did not favor the war. “That’s the real problem,” he stated. “Most people in the country don’t want it. Now look, I’m no foreign policy expert. I don’t know what’s going on over there, but I do know that all the people I know that really support Israel above everything else, they’re super happy about it. But all the people I know that are like America first, or people that are like no new wars, that really thought that we’re gonna change things, and this is all just for money, we’re not gonna sacrifice soldiers for money, those people are all upset.
In May, Rogan mentioned that the conflict with Iran exposed vulnerabilities and left the U.S. unprepared for crises. He remarked, “I don’t like the Iran war thing, but I like that,” touching on the significance of the UFC event at the White House. Comedian Harland Williams countered, “You don’t like the concept that Iran can no longer have nuclear weapons? I think that’s better than a UFC fight.” Rogan compared the situation to Afghanistan, where U.S. involvement spanned two decades after the 9/11 attacks, ultimately ending in a disordered withdrawal in 2021.
Rogan’s recent criticisms follow a Center for Strategic and International Studies report that highlighted the strain on U.S. weapons resources due to the Iran war. The report cautioned that replenishing stockpiles would require years due to budget and production constraints. Furthermore, Rogan has previously warned of the draft, spurred by calls from a tech firm advocating universal national service.