Joe Rogan hasn’t explicitly withdrawn his support for Donald Trump, the candidate he endorsed for the 2024 presidential race — but the signs are getting harder to ignore. Week by week, the massively influential podcaster has become increasingly critical of Trump’s policies, particularly on immigration.
In a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, aired July 2, Rogan took direct aim at the Epstein former president’s immigration agenda, condemning the widespread deportations and ICE raids that have intensified under Trump’s rhetoric. He expressed disillusionment, admitting he felt misled by campaign promises that initially sounded focused on criminal crackdowns.
“We were told there would be…” Rogan started, then paused and redirected. “There’s two things that are insane. One is the targeting of migrant workers — not cartel members, not gang members, not drug dealers — just construction workers showing up at construction sites, raiding them. Gardeners. Like, really?”
Read More:Samsung’s Latest Foldables Hand Over Control to Google AI: “Take the Wheel”
Now, Rogan has shifted his sights to another volatile political fault line — one that strikes at the core of the MAGA base: the enduring controversy surrounding Jeffrey Epstein.
And he did it with a single, sharply worded post on X (formerly Twitter) — the platform owned by Elon Musk, who, notably, has become one of Trump’s most vocal critics in recent weeks. Rogan, who rarely posts on social media, had only made two posts in July: one promoting an upcoming show, and another far more provocative.
“Shout out to all the people that still don’t believe in conspiracies. Your ability to stick to your guns is inspiring,” Rogan wrote on July 8.
It was pure Rogan: dryly sarcastic, deliberately vague, and expertly timed to intersect with an escalating firestorm — one centered on the Epstein files, elite power structures, and a very public feud between Musk and Trump.
Accusations of an Epstein Cover-Up
For years, conspiracy theories have surrounded Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender who died in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019. Many — particularly on the political right — remain convinced that Epstein was murdered, and that his alleged “client list” of powerful figures is being deliberately hidden by the government to shield the elite.
Those theories have surged back into the spotlight in recent weeks. A newly released memo from the Department of Justice and the FBI reaffirmed the official conclusion: Epstein died by suicide, and no evidence of a so-called “client list” or blackmail material was ever uncovered. Rather than quelling speculation, the report ignited a fresh wave of public outrage.
Prominent MAGA influencers, conspiracy theorists, and even some mainstream conservatives have openly accused both the DOJ and the Trump administration of orchestrating a cover-up. In a striking turn, critics from within Trump’s own political base now suggest he may be protecting the very elite network he once promised to expose.
Adding fuel to the fire was Elon Musk. In a post last month, the tech billionaire implied — then swiftly retracted — that Trump could be withholding information about Epstein. Though Musk later deleted the post and admitted he had “gone too far,” the insinuation had already spread.
“How can people be expected to have faith in Trump if he won’t release the Epstein files?” Musk wrote in a July 8 post. When asked whether declassifying the files would be a top priority for his newly launched America Party, Musk replied with a simple emoji: “💯.”
Trump, for his part, has declined to meaningfully engage. When asked during a Cabinet meeting on July 8 whether he would address renewed interest in the Epstein case, the President bristled: “Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? This guy’s been talked about for years. Do you want to waste the time?”
Rogan’s Cryptic Post Lands with Force
That’s the backdrop for Joe Rogan’s now-viral post on July 8.
He didn’t name Jeffrey Epstein. He didn’t mention Donald Trump. But he didn’t need to. “Shout out to all the people that still don’t believe in conspiracies…” the post read — dripping with sarcasm and unmistakable subtext. In just a few words, Rogan mocked those who continue to dismiss government cover-up theories as baseless paranoia, applauding their stubborn disbelief even as fresh allegations and revelations continue to surface.
The closing line — “Your ability to stick to your guns is inspiring” — served as a pointed jab. It was a message tailored not for skeptics, but for his core audience: listeners who have long believed that powerful elites hide the truth in plain sight. In the wake of Epstein’s death, Musk’s provocative comments, and Trump’s evasiveness, Rogan seemed to suggest that denying conspiracy at this point requires willful blindness.
More than just a viral soundbite, the post represents something larger. Rogan is actively pushing the idea that conspiracies aren’t relegated to the political fringe — they’re real, and they’re unfolding in public view. It’s a message that resonates deeply with disillusioned voters and further strains the unity of the MAGA movement.
By drawing attention to what Trump won’t say — and amplifying skepticism toward the institutions that once aligned with him — Rogan is subtly, but significantly, contributing to a fracture on the right. For a base that once rallied around Trump’s promise to “drain the swamp,” the silence on Epstein — and Rogan’s willingness to highlight it — may be triggering a political reckoning from within.
The Stakes
Joe Rogan isn’t a politician, but he remains one of the most influential figures in American media — especially among working-class men who are deeply skeptical of government, legacy media, and institutional authority. His voice carries enormous cultural weight, and his subtle but growing criticism of Donald Trump may signal something far more consequential than a personal pivot.
For years, Trump has served as the primary outlet for populist frustration — the blunt instrument of anti-establishment anger. But Rogan’s quiet dissent suggests that energy may be shifting. If Trump once embodied the rebellion, Rogan now appears to be rechanneling that sentiment toward broader questions about power, secrecy, and betrayal.
What’s unfolding isn’t just a political rift — it’s a potential realignment in how conspiracy, truth, and trust are framed on the American right. And if Rogan continues to cast doubt on Trump’s credibility while validating the suspicions of his base, it could reshape the populist movement he helped ignite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joe Rogan turning against Donald Trump?
Rogan hasn’t officially withdrawn support, but his recent criticisms suggest growing disillusionment with Trump’s policies and leadership.
What did Rogan say about Epstein?
Rogan didn’t mention Epstein directly but posted a sarcastic remark about conspiracy disbelief, widely interpreted as a nod to Epstein-related cover-up theories.
Why does Rogan’s opinion matter?
He has a massive influence, especially among politically independent and anti-establishment listeners, making his subtle shifts culturally significant.
Is Trump being accused of covering up Epstein files?
Some figures on the right, including Elon Musk, have hinted at Trump’s unwillingness to release Epstein-related information, fueling speculation.
What’s the impact on the MAGA movement?
Rogan’s comments, combined with Trump’s silence, are creating internal tension, prompting some former supporters to question their loyalty.
Conclusion
Joe Rogan’s recent comments may be brief and cryptic, but their impact is anything but subtle. At a time when trust in institutions is crumbling and conspiracy theories are increasingly shaping public discourse, Rogan is not just observing the shift — he’s helping drive it. His growing skepticism toward Trump, paired with a nod to the Epstein controversy, marks a potential turning point in the populist narrative that once unified the American right.
If Trump can no longer count on voices like Rogan to reinforce his anti-establishment image, the MAGA coalition may face a reckoning from within. As Rogan’s influence continues to shape political and cultural debates, the question is no longer whether conspiracy thinking is mainstream — it’s where that mainstream is headed next.
