Joe Rogan claims a ‘media psy-op’ is responsible for people having a negative view of Trump

Joe Rogan has recently claimed that a "media psy-op" is to blame for creating a negative portrayal of Donald Trump, significantly altering how people perceive the president-elect. The well-known MMA commentator and podcast host pointed out what he believes to be a noticeable change in the way mainstream media has covered Trump, starting before his first presidential term.

"The Joe Rogan Experience" is one of the most listened-to podcasts globally, boasting an audience of approximately 11 million per episode. In the context of the 2024 election, Rogan's influence cannot be ignored, as his last-minute endorsement of Trump was seen as a major factor in the outcome.

Rogan has often spoken about the declining credibility of what he calls the "legacy media"—traditional television broadcasters and print publications—which he believes has resulted in a sense of alienation among lifelong liberal voters. He claims that the media’s credibility collapse has driven people away from traditional outlets and into the arms of alternative sources, such as his podcast.

On Thursday’s episode of his podcast, Rogan discussed the drastic change in media attitude towards Trump, highlighting how different things were when Trump first appeared on the political stage. He referred to earlier episodes of The View and a notable endorsement from Oprah Winfrey in 2000, where she had encouraged Trump as a potential candidate for president. "What we saw is the greatest media psy-op in history," he stated, adding, "What you’re seeing with Trump, regardless of his flaws, is a massive concentrated psy-op. They’ve distorted who he is to the point where most people think that way. Most people think that way. They’ve had narratives."

The term "psy-op" is shorthand for "psychological operation"—a type of military strategy aimed at influencing an enemy’s mindset through non-combative means, using psychological tactics to affect their perception and beliefs. According to Rogan, this approach has been used against Trump by influential media forces to shape public perception.

Rogan also drew attention to comments made by Hillary Clinton during her 2008 presidential campaign, comparing them to the rhetoric seen in the MAGA movement. He described her remarks about illegal immigration as "wild MAGA-type s***." "2008 Hillary Clinton was more MAGA than Trump," he claimed. "But how about that? More MAGA than Trump. It’s all a f****** illusion. It’s all a f****** illusion. All of them, when convenient, have said the exact same things."

This particular comparison highlights what Rogan sees as hypocrisy and manipulation within political circles, regardless of party affiliation. He argued that political figures change their public stances depending on what is most advantageous to them at the time, creating an illusion of ideological opposition when, in reality, they are often aligned on many issues.

Rogan further elaborated on how the 2024 election marked a pivotal moment in media dynamics. According to him, this was the first time that traditional media outlets, often referred to as "legacy media," no longer had a monopoly on the public narrative. The rise of alternative outlets, including podcasts like his, as well as social media platforms, shifted the balance of information power.

"They had control of the media up until now. This election was the first time they didn’t really have control of the media anymore," Rogan argued. "Because of us, because of podcasts. Because of social media, because of X."

Rogan’s remarks underscore his belief that traditional media no longer dictates public discourse to the extent it once did. The reach of independent voices through new forms of media has fundamentally altered how people consume information. In Rogan’s view, this shift has enabled a more diverse range of perspectives to challenge the established narratives promoted by mainstream outlets.

The discussion raised by Rogan presents an intriguing look at how media influence can shape not only individual perception but also the broader political landscape. It questions the authenticity of information presented to the public and who ultimately holds the reins of influence.