Podcaster Joe Rogan issued a warning on Tuesday to liberals considering moving to Texas, suggesting that their attempts to shift the state’s political landscape could upset the current balance beneficial to everyone, including the liberal populace there. He expressed concerns that such changes might damage what he sees as a delicate equilibrium.
Rogan, who previously lived in California, has often shared his reasons for leaving that state, particularly criticizing leftist policies, especially those implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He pointed out that many “coastal elites” hold misconceived notions about Texas, characterizing it as a state filled with ignorant individuals. However, he noted that cities like Austin—often perceived as a progressive enclave—still showcase a more rational form of liberalism compared to more extreme urban centers like Los Angeles and New York.
Notably, he mentioned, while liberal Texans have made some leftward shifts in recent years, they are still not as far-left as those in major urban areas. He humorously referred to a saying about Austin, “Keep Austin weird…and surrounded,” with a guest probing further about the concept of being surrounded.
Rogan elaborated that Austin is indeed in a mostly red state, which he believes provides a certain balance. He cautioned that if newcomers from blue states migrate and replicate the same policies, it would disrupt this equilibrium. He drew an analogy to an ecological system, emphasizing that just as you wouldn’t eliminate predators or prey, meddling with the political landscape could have unintended consequences.
Moreover, he remarked on Austin’s unique status—a liberal city nestled among hardcore conservative areas—arguing that this diversity creates a beneficial balance.
Reflecting back, Rogan attributed his decision to leave California to the unrest during the riots following George Floyd’s death in 2020, sensing that chaos was on the horizon.
As of 2026, he has continued to critique California’s Governor Gavin Newsom, suggesting that Los Angeles might follow a declining path similar to that of Detroit as industries falter and businesses exit.
Recent data indicates significant wealth moving into Texas, while census figures reveal that its major metropolitan areas are expanding at remarkable rates. The Dallas-Fort Worth area, for instance, has seen the highest influx of new residents in the nation over the past year, with cities like Houston, Austin, and San Antonio also among the fastest-growing regions.
