Trump's Rogan appearance restored my faith in our world. It did, though not for the reason one might assume. When I first heard Trump was going to be on Rogan, I was a little apprehensive. Mostly of it turning into an adoration expose on Rogan's part which, albeit out-of-character wouldn't have been out of the question and would've been such a disappointment. It's always a let-down when the people you thought stood for truth alongside you shuffle a little to the right in the name of greed,fear, and ideology. But of course, it didn't happen with Rogan. If anything, it was a testament to his skill and honesty.
It was also a reminder that our society is heading in a good direction (I hope) - the fact alone that a US presidential candidate would consider being interviewed on a podcast speaks volumes about the cultural shift we're going through. It's perhaps the proverbial final nail in the MSM's long-overdue coffin.
It's even more exciting to me that it was a mutually beneficial arrangement. In the older days of traditional television, it would've been quite the feat for the interviewer in question to bag a sit-down with (very possibly) the next president of the U.S. (not to mention a former president already). It would've meant something. And yet, it seems to me Trump had more to gain by being on Rogan than vice-versa. Think about it. Joe Rogan has millions of followers that tune into his podcast every day. He didn't need Trump to ensure ratings or audience, unlike many MSM channels today. On the other hand, having built a reputation for honesty and common sense, an interview with Rogan might appeal to those yet undecided centre-leaning voters who look at either end of the political spectrum and see devils.
Rogan (like most "fascist, alt-right, extremist" figures lambasted by the woke today) was not and is not a Republican or a conservative in the true, old sense of the word. To those of us who don't view him as a feral taker of horse-medicine, he's built a reputation as upstanding, fair-minded, well-documented and deeply intelligent individual. If he appears to be supporting Trump, many of those unimpressed by MAGA frenzy might just decide in Trump's favor. Which signals a tremendous shift in our culture, if you think about it. That this un-owned, genuine, well-balanced guy can make more of an impact on the presidential election than the MSM. It's mind-boggling and exciting, irrespective of how you feel about Trump.
There was an interesting moment in the interview when Rogan was asking Trump about the 2020 election and his claim that it was stolen from him. And Rogan said something along the lines of "most interviewers cut you off when you try to speak about that, but I'll allow it.". Very telling language.
It also speaks well of Trump's team that he appeared on the show. That he was largely preaching to the converted is clear - after all, many Rogan listeners also fall in the feral horse-medicine-taking alt-right bracket. So I don't know how many new votes it won Trump, but it does signal something interesting about him and his team - there's a visionary aspect to them, they are recognizing that the times are a-changing and they're signaling to the world that they're willing to play by our new rules.
(Obviously, untrue. More likely, the game is still the one these big shots know and are good at, merely in a new sheath. But we can still hope.)
By refusing to appear on Rogan, Kamala et cohort are telling us that they are not willing to play by the new rules, thus painting themselves (in spite of empty slogans and mad ideology) as the enemies of progress.
Personally, I hope she does go on Rogan. I'd like to hear it, and I imagine it could be a smart move having a similar effect on undecided voters. Perhaps if I, as a centrist undecidee come to regard her as a reasonable human being (something Rogan is good at bringing out in his guests when he so chooses and when they let him) who's willing to meet my rules, I might just vote in her favor. If it's a PR mistake letting her on Rogan, it's a much bigger folly to abstain from this new cultural order.
