Podcaster Joe Rogan chatted with comedian Arsenio Hall about feeling “politically homeless,” expressing his struggles to align himself with either major political party in the U.S.
“It’s really silly,” Rogan remarked. “I’ve been politically homeless for quite a while. Neither side makes sense to me. We definitely need a sensible centrist government that acknowledges there’s a lot of work ahead to improve this country!”
He emphasized a major issue is how the right dismisses logical ideas from the left, while the left in turn condemns common-sense proposals from the right. “It’s like a sports rivalry, like the Dolphins versus the Raiders,” he said.
Hall reminisced about interviewing former President Bill Clinton back in the ’90s, highlighting Clinton’s intelligence, even in informal discussions. Rogan concurred, stating he would love to have Clinton on his podcast, though noted that the controversies surrounding Clinton might pose challenges.
“He’s certainly one of the greatest presidents ever,” Rogan said. “Listening to him during his campaign, everything he said made sense.” Hall suggested that Clinton had shifted his stance over time, explaining that smart politicians often adapt their policies to resonate more with the public.
“That’s valid, but the issue is that both parties must find common ground, and that leads to a rigid ideology,” Rogan commented.
He illustrated this by contrasting differing views on immigration, with a typical conservative worry, saying, “Opening the borders could let in terrorists,” opposed by a staunch Democrat insisting, “No one is illegal on stolen land!”
Rogan reflected on how Clinton and Hillary Clinton talked about issues like immigration enforcement in ways that align with current right-wing perspectives, suggesting they were just “sensible” rather than strictly “right-wing.”
When Rogan pointed out the Democratic Party’s transformation, especially concerning transgender issues, Hall mentioned, “Watching the party evolve can take almost a year. It’s a reminder—the Democratic Party once had ties to the Klan. So, as a ‘Republican,’ I have to be aware of that history.”
Rogan agreed, recalling a recent clip of Hillary Clinton advocating for immigration enforcement in a manner that could be misconstrued as supporting “MAGA” principles.
As the discussion wrapped up, Hall reiterated that identifying where the parties stand can take significant time, to which Rogan responded, “Exactly—you’re being played by these two factions. You have to choose your side.”
Hall nodded, agreeing, “I don’t like that either.”
