Controversial podcast host Joe Rogan claims that two former U.S. presidents attempted to pressure Spotify into removing his show due to his outspoken views on COVID-19. The 57-year-old media figure revealed the alleged censorship attempt during a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, where he spoke with guest Dr. Mary Talley Bowden.
“Spotify got calls from two former presidents,” Rogan said, without naming either individual.
Rogan rose to prominence during the pandemic for questioning the official COVID-19 narrative. He frequently featured alternative voices and openly discouraged young people from taking the vaccine — a stance that drew intense backlash from health officials, mainstream media, and parts of the public.
Despite the controversy, Rogan’s popularity soared, with the host claiming he gained "two million subscribers in a month" at the height of the media storm.
“They made it sound like I was this maniac,” Rogan said. “Then people actually listened and thought: ‘Oh, he’s reasonable and asking real questions.’”
In 2020, Spotify inked an exclusive $100 million deal with Rogan. The partnership continued in 2024 with a renewed deal reportedly worth $250 million, though his show is no longer platform-exclusive.
Throughout the controversy, Spotify stood by its creator. While the company faced public pressure, including from Neil Young, who briefly removed his music in protest, the platform refused to cancel Rogan. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek acknowledged disagreements with Rogan's content but emphasized that the company wouldn’t alter its policies for a single creator.
“We don’t change our policies based on one creator or any media cycle,” Ek stated in 2022. “That said, there are many things Rogan says that I strongly disagree with.”
The White House also weighed in at the time. Then-Press Secretary Jen Psaki called on tech platforms to take stronger action against COVID-19 misinformation.
“Our hope is that all major tech platforms be responsible in ensuring Americans have access to accurate information. That includes Spotify,” Psaki said.
In response, Spotify added content advisories to COVID-related episodes, but Rogan’s show remained intact.
Although the identities of the two former presidents allegedly involved remain unknown, some speculate whether Joe Biden was one of them. Notably, Rogan has since welcomed high-profile conservative figures onto his show — including Donald Trump, Kash Patel, and Elon Musk — after initially declining Trump’s appearance request during earlier election cycles.
Rogan’s audience continues to grow, with his podcast boasting over 14.5 million followers as of 2024, maintaining its status as one of the most influential shows in the podcasting world.
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