Joe Rogan pushed back Friday on the idea that podcasters should be treated like journalists and given a role in White House press briefings. “We talk s—,” he said.
Speaking with comedians Shane Gillis, Mark Normand and Ari Shaffir, Rogan joked about the disorder at President Donald Trump’s recent press gatherings. He said reporters sometimes shout over one another, making it difficult for anyone to finish a question.
Rogan called the briefings a “bad podcast,” arguing that people should let one person ask a question before jumping in with another. If someone has a question, he said, they should wait their turn rather than talk over a colleague.
He was responding in part to David Sacks, chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. Sacks had complained that the administration’s recent policies were losing the support of podcasters and suggested they should have seats near the front at news conferences.
Rogan rejected that idea. He said podcasters shouldn’t be expected to attend press briefings or ask questions of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. “We’re not press people,” he said, adding that it was troubling how much weight some people give podcasters’ opinions, even if that influence can be effective.
Podcasters had a notable role in the 2024 presidential campaign. Rogan interviewed Trump and later endorsed him, while the election was often described as the “podcast election” as candidates turned to podcasts and other alternative media to reach voters.
During her tenure, Leavitt expanded access to the White House briefing room by introducing a “new media seat.” The spot, near the front and close to the podium, gave bloggers, social media creators and other nontraditional outlets a chance to ask questions.
