During his nearly three-hour appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, former President Donald Trump aimed for an endorsement from Joe Rogan while sharing stories, including a personal account of surviving an assassination attempt. Trump, 78, displayed the scar behind his right ear, saying, “It zicked right there,” referring to the bullet wound he sustained at a 2024 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Rogan, impressed by the healing, commented, “It healed up pretty f—ing good.”
The intense moment came as Trump discussed the dangers of the presidency, asserting that his role often makes him a target. He recounted how the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired from a rooftop 130 yards away, grazing Trump’s ear. Trump emphasized how the experience only made him “a tougher guy,” as he reflected on the risks inherent in political leadership.
Throughout the episode, Trump persistently sought Rogan’s endorsement, pointing out the influential public backing he received from figures like Elon Musk. At one point, Trump joked that Rogan wasn’t a “Kamala person,” drawing laughs from the podcaster. Despite the repeated nudges, Rogan did not explicitly endorse Trump, but he didn’t dismiss the possibility of doing so in the future either.
The discussion also veered into the role of media rhetoric, with Rogan suggesting that Trump’s portrayal as “Hitler” by some media outlets and Democrats only fueled violent opposition. Rogan noted how this messaging may have contributed to dangerous confrontations, like the assassination attempts on Trump. The podcast episode has generated buzz, with both Trump and Rogan fans closely watching to see if Rogan’s influence will play a significant role in Trump’s re-election campaign.
