Joe Rogan Pulls Back Support for Trump Amidst Midterms, Citing Policy Disagreements

Podcaster Joe Rogan has significantly reduced his public praise for President Donald Trump, a notable shift from his 2024 endorsement, citing concerns over the Iran war and the escalating cost of living.

Rogan, who previously interviewed Trump and declared him fit for president in 2024, has increasingly criticized the former president's policies on his widely listened-to podcast. "What Trump stood for, some of it turned out to not be real," Rogan stated recently, referencing the 'no wars' platform. "We're at a war with Iran, so that wasn't real."

He also voiced frustration over domestic issues, highlighting the struggles of those living in poverty and lamenting the nation's allocation of resources. Rogan pointed to the December 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson by Luigi Mangione as an example of societal breakdown stemming from these issues.

These comments come as the United States approaches crucial midterm elections, and as polling data suggests a potential erosion of support for Trump among Republican voters. According to The Washington Post, approximately one in five registered voters who previously supported Trump now disapprove of his performance. A CNN poll indicated that nearly 40% of Republican-aligned adults under 45 disapprove of Trump's performance, citing economic and inflation concerns.

Trump has contested these findings, promoting different polling data on Truth Social that shows him with 98% approval among MAGA Republicans.

Rogan also expressed concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on the job market, stating, "There doesn't seem to be any real clear path to mitigating the massive effect that that's going to have on the economy and all these people that are going to be unemployed."

Furthermore, Rogan has been critical of the Trump administration's use of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He drew parallels between ICE's tactics in cities and the Gestapo, questioning the use of militarized police forces without identification. "You don't want militarized people in the streets just roaming around, snatching up people," Rogan said, adding that some apprehended individuals were U.S. citizens without proper documentation.

Last month, Rogan described Trump supporters as "f***ing nuts" and "rabid," suggesting that Trump represented more than just a political figure to them. Despite his past criticisms of the "swamp," Rogan indicated that the administration's actions had not been ideal.

Rogan's political leanings have historically been difficult to categorize. He has previously expressed support for progressive figures like Bernie Sanders and endorsed Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, whom he urged to run for president.

Trump's overall public approval rating has seen a decline ahead of the midterms, with a Reuters/Ipsos poll showing his approval at 32% earlier this week.