In a bold move against mainstream media, Joe Rogan has reportedly initiated a $30 million lawsuit against MSNBC. The popular podcaster claims that the network deliberately doctored footage from one of his recent podcast episodes to falsely imply that he was endorsing Kamala Harris for president.
Rogan, known for his unfiltered opinions and wide-reaching influence, was discussing Harris’s political career on his podcast with guest Michael Malice. During the conversation, they critiqued Harris’s performance and discussed her controversial past. However, MSNBC allegedly edited the two-minute segment, cutting it down to a 60-second clip that completely misrepresented Rogan’s stance. The edited footage, according to Rogan, was designed to make it appear as though he was praising Harris and predicting her victory in the upcoming election.
The situation has sparked outrage among Rogan’s supporters, who see this as a clear example of mainstream media manipulation. “It’s disgusting what they did,” Rogan said. “They call themselves journalists, but if they can do this to someone as popular and influential as me, imagine what they’re doing to the little guys.”
The edited clip was reportedly uploaded to MSNBC’s social media platforms, where it was quickly picked apart by online critics. Among them was former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who took to social media to expose the deceptive editing. Gabbard, a frequent guest on Rogan’s podcast, provided a side-by-side comparison of the original and edited footage, highlighting how MSNBC had twisted Rogan’s words.
In the original podcast, Rogan and Malice discussed how Harris had been widely criticized as the least popular vice president in history. They referenced how Harris’s campaign was almost derailed during the 2019 Democratic debates when Gabbard delivered a scathing critique of Harris’s record as a prosecutor. Rogan and Malice further noted how Harris’s polling numbers plummeted after the debate, contradicting MSNBC’s portrayal of Rogan as a supporter.
“This kind of gaslighting bothers me to no end,” Rogan remarked. “It’s not just about what they did to me; it’s about the fragility of the human mind and how easily people can be manipulated by these so-called news organizations.”
MSNBC has since taken down the controversial post, but the damage, according to Rogan, has already been done. The podcaster’s legal team is arguing that the network’s actions amount to defamation, and they are seeking $30 million in damages.
Legal experts have noted that Rogan’s case, while challenging, is not without merit. To prove defamation, Rogan must demonstrate that MSNBC’s edited footage caused material or reputational harm. While Rogan’s massive following may make this difficult to prove, his legal team is focusing on the intent behind the editing and the potential impact on his credibility.
This is not the first time Rogan has found himself at odds with mainstream media. He previously clashed with CNN over their coverage of his use of ivermectin during his bout with COVID-19. In that instance, Rogan chose to use his platform to publicly confront CNN’s Sanjay Gupta, calling out the network for their misleading coverage.
Rogan’s latest legal battle underscores a growing distrust of mainstream media among many Americans. The podcaster, who has built a massive following by offering unfiltered discussions on a wide range of topics, has become a symbol of resistance against what many see as media manipulation.
“This isn’t just about me,” Rogan said. “It’s about holding these for-profit news organizations accountable for their actions. If they can lie about me, they can lie about anyone. And that’s dangerous for our democracy.”
As the lawsuit moves forward, all eyes will be on the courtroom. Rogan has vowed to make the proceedings as public as possible, and his fans are eager to see how the case unfolds. For now, one thing is clear: Joe Rogan is not backing down, and he’s ready to take on anyone who threatens his credibility.
