Donald Trump's Joe Rogan podcast appearance: Here's what it means for US election

Republican presidential candidate amps up male voter appeal with NFL appearances and bold language in speeches

Former President Donald Trump will join Joe Rogan on The Joe Rogan Experience this Friday in Austin, aiming to strengthen his support among male voters just two weeks before Election Day.

While the exact release date of the episode is unannounced, the timing and platform of the interview are significant.

Rogan's podcast, with its massive following of 14.5 million, leans heavily toward young, male listeners—a demographic polling shows tends to support Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris.

Rogan’s audience skews 81% male and 56% under age 35, according to a 2026 YouGov poll, making it a valuable platform for Trump, who has seen a consistent lead with young male voters.

Meanwhile, Harris will also be in Texas on Friday, holding a rally with pop star Beyoncé in Houston, aiming to energise her own base in the battleground state.

Though Rogan’s listeners largely support Trump, the host’s stance remains mixed. Rogan previously backed Bernie Sanders in the 2020 Democratic primary but later said he would choose Trump over President Joe Biden.

In the end, he cast his vote for Libertarian candidate Jo Jorgensen. Recently, Rogan praised former third-party candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr as the only candidate who “doesn’t gaslight” the public though he clarified on social media that his admiration was not an endorsement.

Responding to Rogan’s comments about Kennedy, Trump took to Truth Social, hinting that Rogan could face public backlash. While Rogan has voiced some approval of Harris’s campaign skills, he has criticised aspects of her policy positions.

In a September episode, Rogan praised Harris for her debate performance, saying she was well-prepared, particularly during her first face-off with Trump, but he also speculated that her administration might lead to restrictions on free speech.

Despite recent rumours, Harris’ campaign confirmed she would not be joining Rogan’s show due to scheduling constraints.

Both candidates’ efforts to win over male voters come amid a widening gender gap.

The latest USA TODAY/Suffolk University poll indicates women favour Harris by a notable 53% to 36%, while men lean towards Trump by nearly the same margin.

If the trend holds, the 2024 election could see the largest gender-based voting gap since the divide was first noted in 1980.

Trump has pursued multiple strategies to energise his male base, including high-profile appearances at NFL games and incorporating strong language in his speeches.

Harris’s outreach to male voters remains ongoing, though the Rogan appearance may have been a missed opportunity for her campaign.