Joe Rogan’s Podcast Reign Concludes After Years of Streaming Supremacy
Joe Rogan Dethroned as Podcast King by Trump-Linked Comedian
Joe Rogan’s Joe Rogan Experience has been unseated from its top spot on YouTube’s podcast charts by Tony Hinchcliffe’s controversial comedy show Kill Tony. Rogan, who dominated the platform since late May with his long-form interviews on topics like UFOs and politics, fell to second place during the week of July 7–13.
Hinchcliffe, a comedian known for provocative humor and vocal support for Donald Trump, saw his show surge despite backlash over a 2024 Trump rally joke where he called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage.” Though Trump later distanced himself, Hinchcliffe doubled down on his style, declaring, “I apologize to nobody.” His unfiltered approach and Netflix specials (Kill Tony recently signed a three-special deal) likely fueled his rise.
Hinchcliffe’s ascent follows Rogan’s recent criticism of Trump policies.
Rogan’s ratings dip coincides with his sharp critiques of the Trump administration. After endorsing Trump in late 2023, he shifted focus to lambasting policies like immigration raids targeting workers, U.S. involvement in Middle East conflicts, and the stalled Jeffrey Epstein investigation. During a June interview with Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rogan claimed Trump’s “no war” pledges had collapsed, warning of MAGA division. He later suggested bombing Iran was a distraction from Epstein’s unsealed files, which allegedly contain “tens of thousands” of unreleased videos.
Rogan’s critiques align with a broader trend of Trump allies facing backlash.
Elon Musk experienced similar fallout after clashing with Trump in May 2024, triggering a 14% Tesla stock plunge ($150B loss). While Rogan remains #1 on Spotify, his YouTube and Apple Podcasts rankings slipped. Kill Tony’s rise underscores the polarized media landscape, where edgy, politically charged content thrives. Meanwhile, Rogan’s Spotify throne is now flanked by Tucker Carlson’s conservative commentary, reflecting ongoing audience divides.
Rogan’s viral 2024 Trump interview boosted his influence but didn’t shield him from ratings shifts.
As political tensions shape media consumption, Rogan’s slip highlights the volatility of digital fame—proving even podcast giants aren’t immune to controversy’s double-edged sword.
