Last Updated on February 10, 2022
Joe Rogan pushed back at recent attempts to cancel him during an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience (JRE) on Wednesday. Speaking with comedian Akaash Singh, Rogan said the recent compilation video of him saying the n word was a “political hit job.”
“In a lot of ways, this is a relief,” Rogan said. “That video had always been out there. This is a political hit job. They’re taking all this stuff I’ve ever said that’s wrong and smushing it all together. It’s good because it makes me address some stuff that I really wish wasn’t out there.”
The compilation video gained traction last week after a long campaign to cancel the podcasting megastar over his statements on COVID-19 and vaccine mandates. Things reached a fever pitch when former rockstar Neil Young asked Spotify to remove his music from their catalogue, citing “misinformation” coming from JRE. Young’s movement failed to gain traction, however, with only a handful of aging rockstars joining Young in a boycott of Spotify. Just days after Neil Young’s failed boycott disappeared from the news cycle, the n word compilation video was widely circulated.
Rogan issued an apology through an Instagram video not long after the video was released. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said that Rogan’s language was “incredibly hurtful” in a message to employees on Sunday. “While I strongly condemn what Joe has said and I agree with his decision to remove past episodes from our platform, I realize some will want more,” Ek said in the letter. “And I want to make one point very clear — I do not believe that silencing Joe is the answer.”
Over 113 episodes of JRE have been removed from the platform following the controversy. Ek also pledged to donate $100 million to organizations that support “marginalized groups”, which matches what Rogan was paid to join Spotify last year.
Rogan also stated that he does not regret his apology, however. “You should apologize if you regret something. I do think you have to be careful not to apologize for nonsense,” Rogan said.
President Trump weighed in on the controversy and implored Rogan to stop apologizing. “Joe Rogan is an interesting and popular guy, but he’s got to stop apologizing to the Fake News and Radical Left maniacs and lunatics.” Trump said. “How many ways can you say you’re sorry? Joe, just go about what you do so well and don’t let them make you look weak and frightened. That’s not you and it never will be!”
The Biden Administration also weighed in after Spotify announced they would include a warning label on podcasts that discuss COVID-19. Several podcasts were banned outright, including the Stew Peters show. During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki called on Spotify to do more to combat “misinformation” in a chilling statement. “Our hope is that all major tech platforms, and all major news sources, for that matter, be responsible and be vigilant to ensure the American people have access to accurate information on something as significant as COVID-19. That certainly includes Spotify,” Psaki said. “It’s a positive step. But we want every platform to continue doing more to call out…misinformation while also uplifting accurate information.”
Psaki encourages platforms like Spotify to censor their content. pic.twitter.com/odaxP7hqmn
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) February 1, 2022
