Popular podcaster Joe Rogan has hinted at the possibility of recording an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience with President-elect Donald Trump at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. The news, first reported by the New York Post, comes amid Rogan’s hesitancy to take his podcast on the road—a practice he has largely avoided, even turning down high-profile opportunities in the past.
This potential exception for Trump highlights the unique context surrounding Rogan’s relationship with the president-elect and the influence of his podcast during the 2024 election cycle.
The idea surfaced during a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, where comedian Ari Shaffir pressed Rogan about traveling to Mar-a-Lago for a podcast session with Trump.
“Yeah, we have to. We helped Trump get elected,” Rogan responded, referencing the impact of Trump’s previous appearance on his show.
Shaffir jokingly proposed that the episode could coincide with the release of his upcoming Netflix comedy special on January 14, just days before Trump’s inauguration. “Trump’s obviously going to walk on,” Shaffir remarked, to which Rogan and comedian Shane Gillis enthusiastically agreed. Rogan added, “One hundred percent. He’s gonna walk on if we do Mar-a-Lago.”
At the time of this writing, Trump has not publicly confirmed whether he would participate in such a podcast. However, given the president-elect’s past willingness to appear on Rogan’s show and his comfort with unconventional media formats, the collaboration seems plausible.
Rogan’s previous interview with Trump, which lasted for three hours, was widely regarded as a pivotal moment in the 2024 election. Exit polls suggested that Trump performed exceptionally well with Rogan’s listener demographic, which includes a significant number of younger, independent, and libertarian-leaning voters.
Trump’s earlier appearance on Rogan’s podcast was notable for its unfiltered and extensive format, a stark contrast to traditional political interviews. Rogan’s audience—millions of listeners who appreciate his conversational, no-holds-barred style—represents a critical voting bloc that may have been swayed by Trump’s candid remarks on the podcast.
In comparison, Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump’s 2024 opponent, never appeared on Rogan’s show. Rogan later revealed that Harris’s team imposed several conditions that made the interview unworkable.
“They had requirements on things she didn’t want to talk about,” Rogan said, citing marijuana legalization as one of the topics Harris’s team sought to avoid. This was particularly contentious given Harris’s record as a prosecutor, where she oversaw convictions for marijuana-related offenses.
Additionally, Harris’s team requested a shorter interview format than Rogan’s typical three-hour episodes and demanded that Rogan travel to her location—a condition he declined.
If the Mar-a-Lago interview does take place, it would mark a significant moment for both Trump and Rogan. The podcast would likely serve as a platform for Trump to outline his vision as he prepares to take office and address key issues facing his administration.
Rogan’s influence, meanwhile, could further solidify his role as a cultural and political tastemaker. With an audience spanning millions of Americans across diverse demographics, The Joe Rogan Experience has become an increasingly influential forum for public discourse.
The potential podcast interview underscores the growing trend of politicians leveraging alternative media to connect with voters directly. Traditional media outlets, once the primary conduit for political messaging, are now competing with platforms like Rogan’s, which offer long-form, unfiltered conversations that resonate with audiences disillusioned by soundbites and talking points.
For Trump, a Mar-a-Lago podcast episode would align with his preference for unconventional media engagements, reinforcing his outsider image and bypassing traditional gatekeepers.
For Rogan, the move signals a willingness to adapt his typically stationary format for a guest as high-profile as the incoming president. It also reflects the unique rapport he seems to share with Trump, which contrasts sharply with his rejection of Harris’s overtures.
While the specifics remain unclear, the possibility of a Rogan-Trump podcast at Mar-a-Lago has already generated significant buzz. Whether or not the interview materializes, it highlights the shifting landscape of political communication and the enduring influence of figures like Joe Rogan in shaping public opinion.
As January 14 approaches, all eyes will be on Mar-a-Lago to see if this historic podcast session becomes a reality. If it does, it could set the tone for Trump’s second term and further cement Rogan’s role as a critical player in the American political and cultural dialogue.
