Grok says:
Joe Rogan’s recent guest choices have sparked some buzz, particularly with accusations of platforming people with anti-Jewish views. The main point of contention seems to be his March 2025 episode with Ian Carroll, a guy who’s spent years online pushing Holocaust denial and conspiracies about Jewish influence—like claiming the Rothschilds control everything or that Jews have historically brought conflict on themselves by being “outsiders.” On the podcast, Carroll framed the Holocaust as just one example of Jews clashing with others due to their “differences,” and Rogan didn’t push back much, letting the convo roll. This has folks on X and elsewhere calling it a soft endorsement of antisemitism, especially since Rogan’s got such a massive reach—millions of listeners who might not dig deeper into Carroll’s track record.
Rogan’s no stranger to hosting controversial figures; it’s kind of his brand. He’s had Alex Jones, Milo Yiannopoulos, and others who’ve flirted with edgy or outright bigoted takes. Back in February 2023, he caught heat for saying “the idea that Jewish people aren’t into money is ridiculous,” defending Ilhan Omar’s “Benjamins” tweet—a comment slammed by the ADL and others as leaning on old antisemitic tropes. More recently, his March 2024 chat with Kurt Metzger included Rogan calling Israel’s war against Hamas a “genocide” and suggesting they’re “imitating” the Holocaust, which groups like Democratic Majority for Israel called out as reckless and wrong. Critics say he’s either clueless or willfully amplifying divisive voices.
On the flip side, Rogan’s defenders argue he’s just a conversationalist, not a gatekeeper. He’s said plenty of times he doesn’t endorse every guest’s view—he’s there to talk, not debate. Posts on X from fans point out he’s also had pro-Israel voices like Bari Weiss and hasn’t shown personal animus toward Jews. His shtick is raw, unfiltered discussion, and he’s got a history of letting people speak, even if they’re way out there—think Robert Malone on COVID or Roger Waters on Israel. The Carroll episode fits that pattern: a niche internet figure with wild ideas gets a mic, and Rogan mostly listens.
What’s driving this “recently” perception? Timing and context. Antisemitism’s been a hot topic—hate crimes are up, per FBI stats, and cultural debates are tense post-October 7, 2023. Rogan’s platform, topping Spotify charts with 14.5 million followers, amplifies whatever he touches. Hosting Carroll now, when people are hyper-aware of these narratives, feels like pouring gas on a fire to some. Whether it’s intentional or just Rogan being Rogan—chasing interesting chats without much filter—that’s where the divide lies. What do you think he’s aiming for with these picks?
