Star podcaster Joe Rogan has found himself at the centre of a controversy that is dividing America. This is now affecting his part-time job with the UFC.
Hollywood megastar The Rock. Music legends Neil Young and Joni Mitchell. Daniel Ek, the billionaire boss of audio streaming service Spotify. Best-selling author Don Winslow.
They all play a role in a spectacular controversy that is moving and dividing America like few other issues right now – and also tells us a lot about what else is moving and dividing America and the world right now.
This weekend, at the latest, the big issue has reached sport: Joe Rogan, in his main job host of the world-famous podcast “The Joe Rogan Experience”, was supposed to commentate on the martial arts event UFC 271 on Saturday.
Rogan, who has also been on the microphone as an interviewer for superstar Conor McGregor’s employer for 25 years, did not. Apparently, the sports empire ESPN suggested to its media partner to do without the services of the man who has become a much-discussed nationally and internationally irritant figure in recent weeks, at least for the time being.
His podcast, which has been listened to millions of times – and has also featured Elon Musk and Edward Snowden, among others – is known for giving space to representatives of all political persuasions. Too many, as his critics reproach him.
The debate, which has been simmering for years, has been exacerbated by the Corona pandemic, in which deniers and conspiracy mythicists also had their say on Rogan’s show, spreading even clearly refuted falsehoods without contradiction.
Rogan’s fans see the podcast as a valuable contribution to their definition of freedom of expression, critics as disinformation and dangerous reinforcement of extremists in the guise of naive curiosity.
His podcast, which has been listened to millions of times – and has also hosted Elon Musk and Edward Snowden, among others – is known for giving space to representatives of all political persuasions. Too many, as his critics reproach him.
The debate, which has been simmering for years, has been exacerbated by the Corona pandemic, in which deniers and conspiracy mythicists also had their say on Rogan’s show, spreading even clearly refuted falsehoods without contradiction.
Rogan’s fans see the podcast as a valuable contribution to their definition of freedom of speech, critics as disinformation and dangerous reinforcement of extremists in the guise of naive curiosity.
Rogan convinced some of the critical public with this – among others, there were words of praise from actor and WWE legend Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The affair seemed to be halfway over – but then it took another turn.
Racist outbursts – even supporter The Rock disgraced
A week ago Friday, African-American singer India Arie joined Young and Mitchell’s Spotify retraction – citing a montage of old clips of Rogan repeatedly using the racist N-word in his audio shows as justification.
She drew particular attention to an indisputable joke in which Rogan compared a visit to a cinema full of black patrons to the film “Planet of the Apes”.
Arie’s collection of clips reignited the controversy surrounding Rogan – and also forced his supporters on the defensive. Asked by star writer Don Winslow (“Days of the Dead”, “The Cartel”) to reconsider his praise of Rogan, The Rock also responded again, saying he was “unaware” of his N-word comments and was experiencing a “learning moment”.
Rogan regrets use of the N-word
Rogan himself also spoke out again, again visibly trying to take the wind out of the sails of criticism.
He was remorseful, explaining that he was not a racist, that he had previously found the use of the N-word in the context of comedy and sloganeering okay, but that he had now been taught better. He himself found it “f***ing awful” to hear himself from today’s perspective,
In the same breath, however, he also called Arie’s video a “political attack” aimed at silencing him.
What is indisputable is that the Rogan case is now heavily charged – too much so for the UFC to have gone back to business as usual.
Have ESPN and Disney put pressure on the UFC?
The move is unlikely to have come from UFC boss Dana White – a man’s man, a self-confessed Donald Trump voter and someone who doesn’t like to be seen as a knuckle-dragger – and Rogan’s friends also seem to outnumber the UFC’s fans and fighters.
During Saturday’s event, there were multiple “Free Joe Rogan” chants from the audience, and black middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, who won on points against Robert Whittaker in the main event of UFC 271, had also defended Rogan beforehand. At the pre-event press conference, he called him a good friend and a good person – and in a fitting punchline to the posse, “my n***a. “
The interests of ESPN and parent company Disney look different, with corporate bosses there appearing to have worked to remove Rogan, and thus themselves, from the firing line.
White neither confirmed nor denied that impression on Saturday, instead causing additional confusion when he dismissed a report by Canadian portal TSN about a “scheduling conflict” on Rogan’s part as false – although TSN had cited a UFC “official”. “”It wasn’t ‘Joe couldn’t work’ or anything like that. That’s bullshit,” White said – without elaborating on what was instead.
