President Donald Trump Strikes Iran; Joe Rogan Says Supporters Feel 'Betrayed'
Key Takeaways
- Joe Rogan said many of President Donald Trump's supporters feel "betrayed" by the Iran strike
- Rogan questioned President Donald Trump's decision to strike Iran on his podcast with Michael Shellenberger
- Rogan said the operation "seems so insane based on what he ran on"
Rogan's immediate reaction
Comedian and podcaster Joe Rogan sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to strike Iran on a recent episode, describing the operation as extreme and warning it risked escalating into a wider war.
“Influential podcaster Joe Rogan this week questioned President Donald Trump's decision to strike Iran, saying some of Trump's supporters feel "betrayed" by the war”
Rogan said, “They go in, kidnap him, get him out. This one’s nuts,” and added that adding Iran to existing conflicts “genuinely feels like there’s a real possibility that we might be entering World War III.”
Podcasters and the base
Rogan’s comments reflect broader strains between Trump and some of the podcasters who helped him win support among young men in 2024.
NBC notes Rogan’s podcast reaches nearly 21 million subscribers on YouTube and credits Rogan and other prominent podcasters with helping Trump make gains among young male voters in the 2024 election.
The outlet adds that Rogan and peers have publicly criticized specific Trump policies during his second term.
White House defense
The White House responded to Rogan’s remarks by strongly defending the administration’s decision to strike Iran.
“Influential podcaster Joe Rogan this week questioned President Donald Trump's decision to strike Iran, saying some of Trump's supporters feel "betrayed" by the war”
A spokesperson, Anna Kelly, framed the action as protecting the United States and said the administration was working to eliminate Iran’s ability to develop ballistic missiles, arm proxies or pursue nuclear weapons.
Kelly added that “Iran is being completely crushed under the weight of the United States Military.”
Supporter doubts
The strike and Rogan’s critique have highlighted fissures in Trump’s coalition: some prominent conservatives who supported Trump now question whether the Iran offensive fits his 'America First' rhetoric.
NBC reports that "Some of his most vocal supporters, like former Fox News host Megyn Kelly and conservative activist Jack Posobiec, have questioned how the Iran offensive lines up with Trump's 'America First' agenda."
Trump has sought to downplay the dispute by calling Rogan "a great guy" and blaming poor public relations for negative perceptions, saying he thinks his administration "does a phenomenal job, but I don't think we're good at public relations."
Polling and fallout
Polling cited in NBC’s coverage suggests the president faces erosion among young men and broader disapproval over his handling of the Iran situation.
“Influential podcaster Joe Rogan this week questioned President Donald Trump's decision to strike Iran, saying some of Trump's supporters feel "betrayed" by the war”
The article notes a Reuters/Ipsos poll finding 33% approval among men ages 18-29 (down from 43% last year).
It also says an NBC News poll found a majority of registered voters disapprove of how he is handling the situation in Iran.
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