Joe Rogan, the host of Spotify’s biggest podcast, drew backlash for antisemitic remarks this week — the latest in his history of using his massive platform to make controversial comments that have spanned Covid-19 misinformation and racial slurs.
Joe Rogan hosts “The Joe Rogan Experience,” Spotify’s biggest podcast. (Photo by Michael … [+] Schwartz/WireImage)
WireImage
Key Facts
“The Joe Rogan Experience,” a Spotify-exclusive podcast, has ranked as the streaming platform’s most-listened to podcast of the year since 2021 (it signed a licensing agreement with Rogan the year before for a reportedly massive $200 million).
He drew criticism this week after saying “the idea that Jewish people are not into money is ridiculous” on Saturday’s episode of his podcast.
Rogan made the remark while defending Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), who was removed from the House Foreign Affairs Committee last week over tweets she made in 2019 that were criticized for a similar antisemitic trope — she tweeted the United States’ relationship with Israel is “all about the Benjamins.”
On his podcast, Rogan said Omar shouldn’t have apologized for the remark, claiming her tweet was not antisemitic, adding “it’s like saying Italians aren’t into pizza.”
Rogan made the remark in conversation with guest Krystal Ball, a former MSNBC contributor, who said Omar could’ve phrased her tweet differently but agreed she shouldn’t have apologized.
Rogan’s comments sparked outrage on Twitter — Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) wrote the idea “that interest in money is uniquely Jewish is Antisemitic garbage that should never be fed to an audience of millions.”
Some users took to Twitter to criticize Spotify, with whom Rogan inked a $200 million deal for exclusive rights to his podcast, for platforming him.
Key Background
Rogan is no stranger to sparking online outrage for making offensive comments and spreading misinformation on his podcast. He’s hosted a number of controversial figures, including members of the Proud Boys, former Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos, and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. Spotify has removed episodes featuring some of his most controversial guests from the platform. Rogan drew backlash for pushing back against widely accepted Covid-19-related medical advice on his show, urging young healthy people not to get vaccinated in April 2021, prompting a rebuke by Anthony Fauci. Rogan and his guests, including known anti-vaxxer Dr. Robert Malone, have floated a number of debunked conspiracy theories, including claims Covid-19 alters your genes, getting vaccinated after having Covid-19 places you at greater risk of side effects and that the vaccine carries greater risks to health than the disease itself — none of which are true. Rogan has also come under fire for racist remarks; a video of him using the N-word 24 times over 12 years on his podcast surfaced on social media in February 2022, prompting him to apologize for his “regretful and shameful” past.
Spotify Protests
Outrage over Rogan’s espousing of misinformation has prompted criticism of Spotify for giving him a huge platform and paying him a fortune. Artists including Neil Young and Joni Mitchell removed their music from Spotify in early 2022 in protest of Rogan’s presence on the streaming service. Young wrote an open letter to Spotify, asking them to choose between him and Rogan, but Spotify wouldn’t budge. Podcasters including Roxane Gay and Mary L. Trump removed their shows from Spotify in protest. An open letter signed by more than 1,300 doctors and health professionals blasted Rogan for spreading misinformation about Covid-19 and hosting guests like Malone who espoused conspiracy theories. The letter urged Spotify to stop platforming conspiracy theories.
Spotify’s Response
Spotify CEO Daniel Ek apologized to staff members for how the controversy has impacted them after Rogan’s repeated use of the N-word came to light, though he affirmed the platform has no plans to drop Rogan, claiming he does “not believe that silencing Joe is the answer” and “canceling voices is a slippery slope.” Spotify also announced plans to label podcasts that discuss Covid-19, and publish a set of content guidelines in response to Rogan’s vaccine misinformation controversy. Spotify has not responded to a Forbes request for comment about Rogan’s recent use of antisemitic tropes.
Tangent
Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, a prior Rogan guest, urged Rogan in December 2019 to host controversial media personality and self-described misogynist Andrew Tate on his podcast, the Southern Poverty Law Center reported, though Rogan responded he was overbooked at the time. Tate, another media figure with a long history of making controversial and offensive statements, is detained in Romania on charges of human trafficking.
Joe Rogan Draws Backlash For Antisemitic Comments—Spotify Silent On Latest Controversy From Its Biggest Podcaster
Topline
Joe Rogan, the host of Spotify’s biggest podcast, drew backlash for antisemitic remarks this week — the latest in his history of using his massive platform to make controversial comments that have spanned Covid-19 misinformation and racial slurs.
Joe Rogan hosts “The Joe Rogan Experience,” Spotify’s biggest podcast. (Photo by Michael … [+] Schwartz/WireImage)
Key Facts
“The Joe Rogan Experience,” a Spotify-exclusive podcast, has ranked as the streaming platform’s most-listened to podcast of the year since 2021 (it signed a licensing agreement with Rogan the year before for a reportedly massive $200 million).
He drew criticism this week after saying “the idea that Jewish people are not into money is ridiculous” on Saturday’s episode of his podcast.
Rogan made the remark while defending Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), who was removed from the House Foreign Affairs Committee last week over tweets she made in 2019 that were criticized for a similar antisemitic trope — she tweeted the United States’ relationship with Israel is “all about the Benjamins.”
On his podcast, Rogan said Omar shouldn’t have apologized for the remark, claiming her tweet was not antisemitic, adding “it’s like saying Italians aren’t into pizza.”
Rogan made the remark in conversation with guest Krystal Ball, a former MSNBC contributor, who said Omar could’ve phrased her tweet differently but agreed she shouldn’t have apologized.
Rogan’s comments sparked outrage on Twitter — Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) wrote the idea “that interest in money is uniquely Jewish is Antisemitic garbage that should never be fed to an audience of millions.”
Some users took to Twitter to criticize Spotify, with whom Rogan inked a $200 million deal for exclusive rights to his podcast, for platforming him.
Key Background
Rogan is no stranger to sparking online outrage for making offensive comments and spreading misinformation on his podcast. He’s hosted a number of controversial figures, including members of the Proud Boys, former Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos, and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. Spotify has removed episodes featuring some of his most controversial guests from the platform. Rogan drew backlash for pushing back against widely accepted Covid-19-related medical advice on his show, urging young healthy people not to get vaccinated in April 2021, prompting a rebuke by Anthony Fauci. Rogan and his guests, including known anti-vaxxer Dr. Robert Malone, have floated a number of debunked conspiracy theories, including claims Covid-19 alters your genes, getting vaccinated after having Covid-19 places you at greater risk of side effects and that the vaccine carries greater risks to health than the disease itself — none of which are true. Rogan has also come under fire for racist remarks; a video of him using the N-word 24 times over 12 years on his podcast surfaced on social media in February 2022, prompting him to apologize for his “regretful and shameful” past.
Spotify Protests
Outrage over Rogan’s espousing of misinformation has prompted criticism of Spotify for giving him a huge platform and paying him a fortune. Artists including Neil Young and Joni Mitchell removed their music from Spotify in early 2022 in protest of Rogan’s presence on the streaming service. Young wrote an open letter to Spotify, asking them to choose between him and Rogan, but Spotify wouldn’t budge. Podcasters including Roxane Gay and Mary L. Trump removed their shows from Spotify in protest. An open letter signed by more than 1,300 doctors and health professionals blasted Rogan for spreading misinformation about Covid-19 and hosting guests like Malone who espoused conspiracy theories. The letter urged Spotify to stop platforming conspiracy theories.
Spotify’s Response
Spotify CEO Daniel Ek apologized to staff members for how the controversy has impacted them after Rogan’s repeated use of the N-word came to light, though he affirmed the platform has no plans to drop Rogan, claiming he does “not believe that silencing Joe is the answer” and “canceling voices is a slippery slope.” Spotify also announced plans to label podcasts that discuss Covid-19, and publish a set of content guidelines in response to Rogan’s vaccine misinformation controversy. Spotify has not responded to a Forbes request for comment about Rogan’s recent use of antisemitic tropes.
Tangent
Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, a prior Rogan guest, urged Rogan in December 2019 to host controversial media personality and self-described misogynist Andrew Tate on his podcast, the Southern Poverty Law Center reported, though Rogan responded he was overbooked at the time. Tate, another media figure with a long history of making controversial and offensive statements, is detained in Romania on charges of human trafficking.
Further Reading
Joe Rogan facing allegations of antisemitism after saying it’s ‘stupid’ to say ‘Jews aren’t into money’ (Insider)
How do you solve a problem like Joe Rogan? (Vox)
‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ Was Spotify’s Top Podcast—Despite Protests About Him Being On The Platform (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/02/08/joe-rogan-draws-backlash-for-antisemitic-comments-spotify-silent-on-latest-controversy-from-its-biggest-podcaster/