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Join Telegram ChannelFormer President Trump recorded “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast for nearly three hours on Friday.
The podcast, recorded in Austin, Texas, gave the Republican presidential candidate exposure to Rogan's 14.5 million followers on Spotify and 17.6 million followers on YouTube. Rogan, the nation's most-listened to podcast host, is hugely influential among young male voters, whom Trump aims to reach.
Here are the key takeaways from the podcast released Friday.
Trump asks Rogan to explain why he received bad publicity: 'You said a lot of wild shit…'
While explaining the process of choosing political appointees once he took office, Trump discussed the initial nomination of John Bolton, who served as national security adviser at the White House. In 2019, Trump fired Bolton, who remains a staunch critic. Trump described how Phil Ruffin, another American businessman, warned him that Bolton was a “bad guy”, but by then Trump had already hired him.
Podcast host Joe Rogan told former President Trump that he became so popular with Americans because of the “wild shit” he says. (The Joe Rogan Experience)
“And he was right. But he was good in a way. It's a nutjob. And every time I had to deal with a country when they saw this nutjob behind me, they said, 'Man, Trump is going go to war with us. He was with Bush when they stupidly went to the Middle East. They should never have done it. I used to say that as a civilian, so I always got more publicity than other people,” Trump said.
“It wasn’t like I was trying,” Trump said. “Actually, I don't know exactly why. Maybe you can tell me.”
“I could definitely tell you,” Rogan offered. “You said a lot of wild shit. …And then CNN, in all its brilliance, by highlighting your wild shit, made you a lot more popular. And they boosted you in the polls because people were tired of that someone in this area is talking bullshit — pre-prepared political jargon and even if they didn't agree with you, at least they knew who this guy was, it was really him. .
Rogan tells Trump that 'the rebels are now Republicans,' confirms Elon Musk
“The rebels are Republicans now, but you want to be invisible, you want to be punk rock, you want to love, overthrow the system? You're a conservative now,” Rogan said. “It's really crazy. And then liberals are now in favor of silencing critics. They're in favor of online censorship. … [T]hey come regulate free speech and now regulate the first amendment. It’s bananas to watch.”
Rogan is seen during a weigh-in ceremony for the UFC 292 mixed martial arts event on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Grégory Payan)
Elon Musk, who took over Twitter – now X – in 2022, responded to the clip, writing: “Exactly.”
“You know they’re going after their political opponent,” Trump responded to Rogan. “I've been investigated more than Alfonse Capone.”
Trump says he told Kim Jong Un to 'relax' and 'go to the beach'
When meeting with former President Obama during the presidential transition period, Trump recalled, “Obama thought we were going to war with North Korea.” Rogan then brought up how Trump nicknamed North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un “Little Rocket Man” early in his first term.
“I said, 'Little Rocket Man, you're going to burn in hell.' And it was hard,” Trump said. “I got to know him better than anyone. And I said, 'Are you already doing anything else?' Why don't you go take it easy and relax? Go to the beach?” You know, jokingly, I said, 'You're still building nuclear. Relax. You don't have to.'
Donald Trump arrives for a campaign rally at Avflight at Cherry Capital Airport on October 25, 2024 in Traverse City, Michigan. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Trump discusses 'Make America Health Again' initiative, says he told RFK Jr. to 'just focus on health'
Rogan praised Trump for partnering with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to “make America healthy” and asked the Republican nominee if he would fully commit to having Kennedy in his administration.
“Oh, I am, but the only thing I want to be a little careful about with him is the environment. Because, you know, he doesn't like oil. I love oil,” Trump said. “I think just keep him away from the fire. So I'll keep him away for a little bit. I said focus on health. Focus. You can do what you want, but I have to be a little careful with liquid gold.
Rogan, pointing to Trump's graphics, referred to the fact that “there are chemicals and ingredients in our food that are illegal in other countries because they have been proven to be toxic.”
“There are pesticides and herbicides, and there is a lot of waste that has been sprayed on our food that is really unnecessary,” the podcaster said. “And there are a lot of health consequences.” Rogan added that Kennedy recently told him that “more than 70 percent of young men are ineligible for the military because of their health.”
“But RFK is going to be — you know, I think he’s a great guy,” Trump said.
Rogan also asked whether Trump was pressured not to work with Kennedy.
“But I would say the big pharma companies were not thrilled when they heard that,” Trump said. “I've always gotten along really well with him actually. I've known him for a long time. He's a different type of guy. He's very smart, a great guy, and he's very sincere about it. I mean , he's really… You know, he thinks we're spending a fortune on pesticides and all that, and then to be on this board is a terrible blow.”