Former President Donald Trump is set to appear on Joe Rogan’s podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience,” for the first time on Friday, aiming to connect with a predominantly young male voter base. The podcast, with around 15.7 million followers, surpasses the population of any swing state in the ongoing election cycle.
While the release date of the episode remains unclear, Rogan’s influence is noteworthy. The former NBC reality show host also has approximately 17.5 million YouTube subscribers and 19.3 million Instagram followers, amounting to a combined audience of around 52.5 million.
As the most popular podcast on Spotify, Rogan’s platform remains unmatched, with a Bloomberg News report naming it the top podcast ahead of others like TED Talks Daily, which has 5 million followers. The number of listeners for Rogan’s podcast is nearly equal to the number of Americans who have voted early for the 2024 presidential election, with over 30 million ballots cast so far, according to the University of Florida Election Lab.
On the same day, Vice President Kamala Harris was recording an episode for “Club Shay Shay,” hosted by former NFL player Shannon Sharpe, which is scheduled to air on Monday. Trump’s engagement with Rogan reflects a strategic focus on appealing to younger male voters, an audience that tends to tune into his podcast.
Rogan’s political stance has been ambiguous; in the past, he hinted at supporting Bernie Sanders, and he has faced criticism for his comments regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. In a 2022 interview, Rogan distanced himself from Trump, stating he was “not a Trump supporter in any way, shape, or form,” and indicated that he had turned down opportunities to host Trump on his show.
Despite his previous reluctance, Rogan has become more politically active recently, expressing admiration for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in various discussions. In response to Rogan’s character assessments, Trump commented on his social media platform, playfully predicting Rogan may face a hostile reception at future UFC events.
Trump’s engagement with platforms like Rogan’s comes as he increasingly focuses on long-form media to reach younger crowds. He acknowledged that his 18-year-old son, Barron, plays a role in guiding him towards these influential platforms. Research indicates that podcasts reach nearly half of Americans aged 18-34 each week.