Podcast host Joe Rogan revealed Tuesday that two former U.S. presidents were involved in efforts to pressure Spotify over his COVID-19 commentary — reigniting the debate over censorship, media influence, and political overreach during the pandemic.
Speaking on the Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan recounted the whirlwind of backlash that erupted in 2022 when progressive activists, celebrities, and media figures accused him of spreading so-called “misinformation” about the virus, lockdowns, and treatments such as Ivermectin. Rogan, who commands one of the largest podcast audiences in the world, described the situation as surreal and deeply revealing.
“And then all of a sudden, I hear that Neil Young wants me removed from Spotify,” Rogan recalled. “I was like, ‘What the f— is going on? This is crazy.’”
The uproar began when musician Neil Young demanded his music be removed from Spotify, objecting to Rogan’s questioning of government pandemic narratives. Spotify, which had signed Rogan to an exclusive deal reportedly worth over $100 million, faced mounting pressure to cancel his show. But Rogan said the backlash had the opposite effect.
“I grew by two million subscribers in a month,” he said. “People started listening, and they realized — he’s not a maniac, he’s just asking questions.”
At the time, the Biden White House entered the fray. Then–Press Secretary Jen Psaki endorsed Spotify’s decision to place disclaimers on COVID-related content but called for further action.
“This disclaimer is a positive step, but we want every platform to continue doing more to call out misinformation,” Psaki said from the podium in 2022.
But Rogan suggested Tuesday that the influence campaign extended far beyond public pressure — claiming that two former presidents personally contacted Spotify about his podcast. Rogan did not name them but implied they were involved in coordinated efforts to push the platform to silence dissent.
“It wasn’t just celebrities or the media,” he said. “Two ex-presidents reached out to Spotify. That’s how deep this thing went.”
Rogan didn’t specify whether those former presidents spoke directly to Spotify executives or worked through intermediaries, but his claim paints a broader picture of top-level political figures attempting to silence independent voices in the name of “public health.”
The experience, he said, shattered his perception of the media and revealed what he now sees as a cynical, agenda-driven press corps.
“It’s such a dirty business. If I hadn’t done this podcast, I would’ve been out there like everyone else, just repeating whatever the media told me,” Rogan said. “But now I see it. The whole thing is about money and control.”
Rogan’s latest comments reflect growing concerns about the intersection of politics, corporate media, and Big Tech. While critics accused him of spreading harmful disinformation, supporters viewed him as a rare mainstream figure willing to ask uncomfortable questions — especially during a time when dissent was often met with deplatforming.
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