Topline<\/p>\n
Days after Joe Rogan, the world\u2019s most popular podcaster, joined President Donald Trump at the White House as he loosened restrictions on psychedelics, the podcast host is back to criticizing the Iran war, this time appearing to blame Israel for the United States\u2019 involvement. <\/p>\n
Rogan previously joined Trump at the White House on Saturday. (Photo by Jim WATSON \/ AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
AFP via Getty ImagesKey Facts<\/p>\n
Rogan spoke with Australian comedian James Donald Forbes McCann on Thursday\u2019s episode<\/a> of \u201cThe Joe Rogan Experience,\u201d during which both men criticized the war in Iran and questioned why the United States got involved. <\/p>\n Rogan said it \u201cdoesn\u2019t make sense\u201d why the Trump administration chose to attack Iran when it did, suggesting the United States\u2019 2025 attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities made more sense, adding, \u201cWhen we went back into Iran, I\u2019m like, \u2018what happened?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n When McCann asked Rogan why he thinks the United States went to war with Iran, Rogan said, \u201cI don\u2019t know. I think because of Israel, if I had to guess.\u201d<\/p>\n Rogan appeared to blame Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying, \u201cNetanyahu kept visiting the White House. You think that\u2019s a coincidence Netanyahu keeps visiting the White House, and then eventually they decide to give in and start bombing?\u201d<\/p>\n Rogan appeared to refrain from criticizing Trump directly, but he said a post Trump made on Truth Social earlier this month, in which he warned Iran\u2019s \u201cwhole civilization will die tonight,\u201d was \u201cnot good.\u201d<\/p>\n Why Did Rogan Join Trump At The White House?<\/p>\n Rogan stood behind Trump<\/a> in the Oval Office on Saturday as the president signed an executive order that would expedite research into psychedelic drugs. While at the White House, Rogan said he had previously texted Trump about ibogaine, a psychedelic drug that advocates say can treat post-traumatic stress disorder and opioid addictions, though critics say it can cause heart problems. Rogan said Trump quickly texted back, \u201cSounds great. Do you want FDA approval? Let\u2019s do it.\u201d As Rogan stood behind him, Trump appeared to allude to Rogan\u2019s critiques of his administration\u2019s handling of the Iran war and the Epstein files, saying, \u201cWe all respect Joe. He\u2019s a little bit more liberal than I am,\u201d to laughter in the room. Rogan addressed his White House visit on an episode<\/a> of his podcast earlier this week. His guest, comedian Luis J. Gomez, said people were \u201cpissed\u201d Rogan was at the White House because he had previously said he is \u201cpolitically homeless.\u201d \u201cI am,\u201d Rogan responded, noting Trump \u201cjoked about it\u201d by calling him liberal.<\/p>\n What Has Rogan Said About The Iran War?<\/p>\n Rogan has criticized the war in Iran for weeks on his podcast, suggesting Trump violated his campaign promise of \u201cAmerica First.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s terrifying and it’s exactly the opposite of what we were told leading into this administration,\u201d he said in an episode<\/a> last month, blaming \u201cunnecessary aggression by the United States government\u201d and suggesting \u201cthat\u2019s how you start a World War III.\u201d Rogan has compared<\/a> the Iran conflict unfavorably to the United States\u2019 capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, which he said \u201cwas, at least, clean. They go in, kidnap him, get him out.\u201d <\/p>\n Tangent<\/p>\n Spotify<\/a> said earlier Thursday \u201cThe Joe Rogan Experience\u201d is the most listened-to podcast of all time on the streaming platform. Spotify released its most-streamed songs, artists and podcasts of all time to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Rogan beat out \u201cGemischtes Hackfleisch,\u201d a German comedy podcast, and \u201cCrime Junkie,\u201d a true crime show. Market research firm Edison Research<\/a> said last week Rogan was the top podcast of the first quarter of 2026 in the United States.<\/p>\n Key Background<\/p>\n Rogan interviewed and endorsed Trump in 2024. But in addition to the Iran war, he has also become a vocal critic of the administration\u2019s handling of the Epstein files. Rogan<\/a> has previously said the release of redacted files are a \u201cterrible look for Trump, when he was saying none of this was real, it was all a hoax. This is not a hoax,\u201d accusing the administration of protecting \u201cpowerful billionaire guys.\u201d He also suggested<\/a> in January the Trump administration\u2019s aggressive immigration raids were a tactic to distract from the Epstein files. Rogan is one of multiple podcasters\u2014in addition to Theo Von and Andrew Schulz, among others\u2014who have criticized the administration since interviewing or endorsing Trump in 2024.<\/p>\n Further Reading<\/p>\n