Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris may be stepping into the lion’s den of political discourse by appearing on The Joe Rogan Experience.
This potential appearance comes as her Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump, has also expressed interest in appearing on the popular podcast, setting the stage for a unique media battleground in the final stretch of the 2024 presidential campaign.
According to an exclusive report by Reuters, Harris campaign officials met with Rogan’s team this week to discuss a possible appearance. While no confirmation has been issued, three sources with knowledge of the matter indicated that the interview could take place before Election Day on November 5.
Newsweek contacted Harris’ campaign on Monday via email for comment.
The Joe Rogan podcast, known for its long-form conversations and diverse guest list, boasts a devoted following that skews young and male. With tens of millions of listeners, Rogan’s platform offers an unparalleled opportunity for both candidates to make their case directly to a demographic that could prove crucial in this tight race.
Recent public polls have suggested that Trump could overperform among young men of all races, a trend that has not gone unnoticed by the Harris campaign. In response, the vice president released a new set of policy proposals on Monday aimed at appealing to Black male voters, a typically Democratic voting bloc that the campaign is working hard to secure.
The potential Rogan interview is just one part of a broader outreach strategy for Harris. Her campaign also announced plans for an interview with Fox News on Wednesday with Bret Baier on a network known for its conservative-leaning programming and often explicit support for Trump.
The former president has already signaled his willingness to appear on Rogan’s podcast. During an appearance on the Nelk Boys YouTube channel, Trump said, “Oh, sure I would,” when asked about going on Rogan’s show, adding, “I mean, I think I’m doing it actually.” He went on to praise Rogan, saying, “He’s a good guy. He’s got a good voice. That’s important.”
Rogan’s influence in the political sphere has grown significantly in recent years. In March, Spotify reported that The Joe Rogan Experience had 14.5 million followers, nearly triple the platform’s second most popular program.
His reach extends beyond the podcast world, with over 19 million followers on Instagram and 17 million on YouTube.
A YouGov poll from last year underscored the unique composition of Rogan’s audience: 81 percent male and 56 percent under 35 years old. This demographic overlap with Trump’s support base makes the potential interviews high-stakes gambles for both candidates.
The relationship between Trump and Rogan has been complex. Despite past sparring and a recent jab at Rogan on Truth Social, Trump later called the podcaster a “good guy.”
Rogan stated in 2022 that he is not a Trump supporter and expressed a preference for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in August, though Kennedy has since dropped out of the race and endorsed Trump.
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