How Joe Rogan And Cable News Outcasts Influenced The 2024 Election

Tatiana Siegel and Todd Spangler have a new article on Variety about election.

In the recent 2024 election cycle, Joe Rogan, along with a cadre of media personalities and outcasts, showcased their influence in shifting the dynamics of political discourse and potentially tipping the scales for Donald Trump. Joined by figures like Megyn Kelly, Tucker Carlson, and several rising internet influencers, this unconventional media alliance managed to resonate with the young, disaffected, and ideologically diverse audiences that had long since tuned out traditional outlets. With an unprecedented reach and deep sway over the coveted 18-34 demographic, Rogan and company reshaped the media’s role in the electoral process, raising questions about the future of news and influence in America.

Rogan’s Reach and the Missed Opportunity for Kamala Harris

Andrew Yang, former presidential candidate and CNN commentator, recently suggested that Kamala Harris’ decision to sidestep an invitation to Rogan’s “Joe Rogan Experience” was a significant missed opportunity for the Democratic campaign. Instead of seizing the chance to reach Rogan’s massive following, which garners millions of views per episode, Harris chose a brief cameo on “Saturday Night Live.” Meanwhile, Trump’s team recognized the opportunity Rogan’s audience offered and leaned into it, achieving substantial exposure in the process. Trump’s appearance on Rogan’s podcast garnered around 48 million views, a staggering level of reach that traditional news outlets like CNN and NBC could only dream of.

Kamala Harris Podcast Requirements

Joe Rogan said on his podcast Tuesday that Vice President Kamala Harris put a condition on a possible interview with the podcaster about avoiding "marijuana legalization" talk along with requiring Rogan to fly to Washington and only to sitdown for an hour interview. Rogan refused as he normally does three hours in his Austin studio.

"They had, I don’t know how many conversations with my folks, but multiple conversations giving different dates, different times, different this, different that, and we knew that she was going to be in Texas, so I said, ‘open invitation,'" Rogan said. 

"I think they had requirements on things that she didn't want to talk about, she didn't want to talk about marijuana legalization, which I thought was hilarious."

"Because of her prosecuting record," Rogan said. "She put a lot of people in jail for weed."

"There were a few restrictions of things they didn’t want to talk about, but I said, ‘I don’t give a f---, get her in here.’ Like, whatever you want to talk about," he said.

A New Media Landscape and Shifting Audiences

Rogan, along with personalities like Carlson and Kelly, personifies a larger shift away from traditional cable news. As the dust settles from this election, many analysts are noting that Harris’ campaign relied on outdated media strategies, including appearances on shows with a dwindling influence. In contrast, Rogan’s platform has steadily grown since his 2020 exclusive $200 million Spotify deal, which evolved into a $250 million nonexclusive arrangement in 2024, allowing him to broadcast on YouTube and Apple Podcasts as well. With over 80% of his audience identifying as male and a majority within the 18-34 age range, Rogan’s podcast has become a staple for a generation more likely to find political engagement through social media than traditional cable TV.

This shift has coincided with a wave of younger influencers like Adin Ross, the Nelk Boys, and Theo Von gaining ground as news sources. These figures, though unconventional in style, represent a new wave of opinion leaders, especially among young men. Sally Nuamah, a Northwestern University professor, notes that Trump’s campaign was strategic in leveraging this “manosphere,” as it speaks to concepts of masculinity and belonging that resonate with many younger voters.

Conservative Exiles Find New Ground

Figures like Megyn Kelly and Tucker Carlson, who were effectively exiled from traditional media, have found even stronger voices on alternative platforms. Since her departure from NBC, Kelly has reinvented herself on SiriusXM with “The Megyn Kelly Show,” attracting conservative listeners and bolstering Trump’s appeal among undecided female voters in battleground states like Pennsylvania. Carlson, too, has expanded his influence. Following his exit from Fox News, he launched the Tucker Carlson Network, creating a media space that supports MAGA-aligned perspectives.

Both Kelly and Carlson’s trajectories illustrate a unique phenomenon: mainstream media ostracism may have only amplified their reach and deepened their influence. By moving to independent platforms, they sidestepped the limitations of corporate news, aligning with a demographic disillusioned by what they view as overly homogenized mainstream narratives. In addition, documentary filmmaker Sean Stone, who recently released a series on Carlson’s platform, highlights this trend by noting that alternative media has become a refuge for those who feel sidelined by corporate-aligned outlets.

Social Media Giants, Big Money, and Political Impact

Rogan, Carlson, and Kelly’s rising media power is not happening in a vacuum; it is bolstered by social media platforms and backed by significant financial investments from high-profile supporters. Elon Musk, the world’s richest individual, played a critical role in amplifying Trump’s 2024 campaign. Musk invested heavily in pro-Trump super PACs and frequently promoted Trump on X (formerly Twitter), leveraging his influence over millions to drive support. In doing so, Musk tapped into a previously disengaged voter segment through digital advertising and a high-stakes sweepstakes program that generated significant voter turnout.

Yet Rogan remains distinct among these influencers, wielding his influence with a level of independence that others lack. When facing controversy over COVID misinformation during the pandemic, Rogan refused to back down. Even as big-name figures like Neil Young withdrew their music from Spotify in protest, Rogan continued, eventually broadening his audience. This resilience has helped cement Rogan as an anchor in the new media sphere, particularly for those wary of what they see as censorship in traditional outlets.

The Rise of Bro Media: A Movement or a Moment?

Rogan’s success, however, has raised questions about a so-called “bro vote.” Some political observers, like NewsNation anchor Chris Cuomo, dispute the notion that the influence of figures like Rogan or Carlson swayed the election. Cuomo argues that Rogan’s following does not neatly translate into political allegiance but instead reflects a hunger for unfiltered discussion. Meanwhile, Kathleen Dolan, a professor of political science, suggests that while issues like gender and masculinity were relevant in the election, they were ultimately overshadowed by economic concerns that transcended gender lines.

Future Implications: New Voices in the Fourth Estate

Joe Rogan’s rise—and the broader exodus of prominent media personalities to independent platforms—signals a significant shift in the American media landscape. The Fourth Estate, once symbolized by mainstream cable networks and newspapers, now shares the stage with a dynamic and influential digital media sphere. Rogan’s continued dominance, coupled with the increasing prominence of alternative media outlets, raises the question of whether traditional news channels can maintain their relevance.

As the dust settles on this election, the media establishment may need to grapple with new strategies to recapture audiences increasingly drawn to this new breed of opinion-shapers. Whether this trend is a short-lived disruption or a permanent recalibration, the 2024 election cycle underscores that alternative media voices—led by Rogan and his contemporaries—are here to stay.

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Source: Variety

Photo Credit: Joe Rogan