October 26, 2024
Former President Donald Trump’s recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience has set social media ablaze, marking what many believe could be a pivotal moment in his 2024 campaign. Over the course of the nearly three-hour interview, Trump and Rogan covered a wide range of topics, from the potential elimination of federal income tax to vaccine mandates and media misinformation—subjects Rogan has vocally critiqued since the COVID lockdowns. A media force of sheer size and a freewheeling spirit, Rogan has turned out to be one of the most influential men in the US. Oddly enough, rumours have it that this ultra-targeted approach to reaching America’s best podcasters may be spearheaded by none other than Trump’s youngest son, Barron.
Suspected of being directing his father’s podcast appearance strategy, Barron Trump is rumored to have helped arrange interviews with some of the nation’s most influential podcasters. Trump, along with Joe Rogan, has also recently appeared on Patrick Bet-David’s show and Theo Von’s podcast, with millions of followers in various categories. It sounds like it is designed for an audience disenchanted with the popular media — young men, independent-minded liberals, even people who weren’t previously Trump fans. If Barron Trump is the genius behind this strategy, then his strategy is paying off.
Rogan, who was once more conservative, famously turned down the COVID-19 vaccine against public pressure, instead undergoing therapy with ivermectin. CNN’s distortion of this decision as “taking horse dewormer” apparently motivated Rogan to reassess his stand on popular narratives, and cement his credibility as a free-thinking activist. In hosting Trump, Rogan (who reaches 15 million or more on platforms alone) may have given Trump an opportunity to appeal to millions of voters that were not already aware of him, particularly independent-minded, younger voters. By Morning Consult, 72% of Rogan’s listeners are male, and 46% are between the ages of 18 and 34, a demographic Kamala Harris hasn’t had much luck converting.
The episode resonated so strongly that even the UK Telegraph couldn’t ignore it, titling their coverage: “The 3 Hilarious Hours That Won Donald Trump the Election.” In it, Trump’s conversational tone and humor captivated listeners, leaving a powerful impression that contrasts sharply with Harris’s reserved media presence. Harris, who has yet to appear on long-form, unscripted podcasts like Rogan’s, risks being seen as disconnected from everyday Americans, especially given her hesitance to engage in freewheeling, challenging discussions. Critics argue that her avoidance of shows like Rogan’s reflects her inability to address real-world issues head-on.
Rogan posted part of his interview with Trump on his X page, where he polled his 730,000 followers to determine which candidate they wanted: Trump or Harris. Trump pulled out a whopping 120,000 votes in excess of the conventional polls and proved the disconnect between online and in-person support. Elon Musk, also a prolific X influencer with more than 200 million followers, ran a poll in August showing roughly the same vote for Trump.
As the Election Day approaches, the impact of these interviews could be enormous, transforming how people think about Trump and fueling a new wave of enthusiasm for Trump. Barron Trump’s rumored leadership of this strategy speaks to the family’s ability to keep pace with the shifting media environment. Should these appearances continue to resonate, it may well be Barron’s influence that brings a new wave of supporters to the polls in 2024.
