Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump‘s three-hour interview with America’s number one podcaster, Joe Rogan, has been released.In the wide-ranging sit-down, the former president discusses everything from the “biggest mistake” of his White House tenure, what he told North Korea’s leader and whether extraterrestrial life exists.
Two years ago Rogan described Trump as “an existential threat to democracy” and refused to have him on his show. But the pair seemed friendly on Friday as they chatted about their shared interest in Ultimate Fighting Championship and mutual friends like Elon Musk.
The Republican’s campaign hopes the interview will consolidate his influence with male voters, who make up the core of listeners to the Joe Rogan Experience, which has 14.5 million Spotify followers and 17.5 million YouTube subscribers.
Trump took a major detour to visit Rogan in Austin, Texas, causing him to show up almost three hours late to a rally in Traverse City, Michigan, a crucial swing state where both he and his Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris, have been campaigning hard.
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Regret Over Key Administration Decisions
Rogan, known for his freewheeling interview style, pressed Trump on specific decisions that may have influenced the public’s perception of his presidency. Trump admitted he was too trusting
“I thought certain people would be more supportive,” Trump reflected. “But they ended up either slowing us down or standing in the way. That was a big mistake. I know now that I’d do things very differently if I had the chance.”
Trump on his ‘biggest mistake’
Trump told Rogan the “biggest mistake” of his 2017-21 presidency was “I picked a few people I shouldn’t have picked”.“Neocons or bad people or disloyal people,” he told Rogan, referring to neoconservatives, policy-makers who champion an interventionist US foreign policy.
“A guy like Kelly, who was a bully but a weak person,” Trump added, mentioning his former White House chief-of-staff John Kelly, who told the New York Times this week that he thought his former boss had “fascist” tendencies.
Trump also described his former US National Security Adviser John Bolton as “an idiot”, but useful at times.“He was good in a certain way,” said Trump. “He’s a nutjob.
“And everytime I had to deal with a country when they saw this whack job standing behind me they said: ‘Oh man, Trump’s going to go to war with us.’ He was with Bush when they went stupidly into the Middle East.”
Rogan’s Audience Gets Rare Insight
The conversation marks the first time Trump has appeared on Rogan’s immensely popular podcast, and it was evident he saw the platform as a unique opportunity to speak directly to a broad audience. Rogan, whose listeners are known for their varied political leanings, let Trump delve into his thoughts on a wide range of topics, including his plans for a potential second term. Trump talked about policies he intends to revisit, including changes to the federal
On the topic of social media and his ban from several platforms during his presidency, Trump didn’t hold back. “Social media is a powerful tool, but it’s also a double-edged sword,” he noted. He emphasized the importance of free speech and how tech companies influence public discourse, especially around politics. Trump hinted at potential regulations for tech companies if he returns to office, describing them as
Preparing for 2024 and Beyond
With 2024 around the corner, Trump’s appearance on Rogan’s podcast shows he is keen on connecting with audiences beyond traditional political settings. His message to listeners was clear: he’s learned from his time in office and believes he can approach
Trump’s interview has already spurred reactions on both sides of the political spectrum. His comments on past mistakes have resonated with supporters who view him as a candidate willing to learn from his past. Detractors, however, argue that Trump’s reflection on his “biggest mistake” does little to address the broader issues fr
As the episode wraps up, one thing is clear: Trump’s sit-down with Joe Rogan has set the stage for a dynamic 2024 campaign. With his willingness to revisit past decisions and voice his commitment to a new direction, the former president has signaled his readiness to re-enter the political arena with lessons learned and his sights.
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