I asked Grok: Democrats said they’re trying to find a left wing version of Joe Rogan, and they’re even spending tens of millions of dollars on it. But Joe Rogan supported Bernie Sanders in 2020. How much more left wing can someone get than that?
By Daniel Alman (aka Dan from Squirrel Hill)
May 29, 2025
I asked Grok:
Democrats said they’re trying to find a left wing version of Joe Rogan, and they’re even spending tens of millions of dollars on it. But Joe Rogan supported Bernie Sanders in 2020. How much more left wing can someone get than that? Please explain, as I am very confused by this. Also, did Joe Rogan become famous on his own, or was there someone giving him a huge amount of funding like with what the Democrats are now trying to do? Don’t famous podcasters and YouTubers become famous based on spontaneity and chaos theory, as opposed to having big spenders with centralized control behind the scenes trying to make it happen? The New York Times even said that wealthy and elite Democrats recently held an event at the super expensive Ritz Carlton hotel in order to try to figure out how they could relate to the working class. That seems incredibly clueless, in my opinion. What is your take on all of these things?
This is Grok’s response:
Your question touches on several interconnected issues: the Democrats’ quest to find a “left-wing Joe Rogan,” Joe Rogan’s political evolution, the nature of his rise to fame, and the irony of wealthy Democrats strategizing at the Ritz Carlton to connect with the working class. Let’s break it down step by step.
1. Democrats’ Search for a “Left-Wing Joe Rogan” and the Bernie Sanders Context
The confusion you’re feeling stems from the fact that Joe Rogan did indeed endorse Bernie Sanders in the 2020 Democratic primary, which might make him seem like the very figure Democrats are searching for. However, the Democrats’ current pursuit, as reported by The New York Times and other sources, is not just about finding someone with left-leaning views but someone who can replicate Rogan’s cultural influence, particularly among young men, in a way that aligns with the Democratic Party’s establishment messaging. Here’s why this is distinct from Rogan’s Sanders endorsement:
Rogan’s Political Evolution: In 2020, Rogan supported Sanders because he admired Sanders’ authenticity, consistency, and anti-establishment stance, describing him as someone who “has been insanely consistent his entire life”. At the time, Rogan identified as left-leaning, having voted for Democrats like Obama and expressing skepticism of corporate power from a perspective aligned with Sanders’ democratic socialism. However, by 2024, Rogan endorsed Donald Trump, citing frustration with Democratic policies on issues like COVID-19 mandates, gender-affirming care for children, and perceived censorship. His shift reflects a broader trend of distrust in establishment institutions, which Democrats now see as a problem. They want a figure who can retain Rogan’s appeal but stay loyal to their party line, unlike Rogan, who they believe was “driven away” by their own policies.
Why Sanders Isn’t Enough: While Sanders is a prominent left-wing figure, his appeal, like Rogan’s, is rooted in authenticity and populism, which doesn’t always align with the Democratic Party’s current leadership or its donor-driven priorities. Sanders’ appearances on podcasts like Rogan’s or Theo Von’s resonate because he speaks directly to working-class concerns with conviction, criticizing corporate elites and establishment politics. However, the Democratic establishment often views Sanders’ approach as too radical or divisive, and his willingness to engage with platforms like Rogan’s sparked backlash from progressive groups for associating with someone accused of transphobia and other controversial views. Democrats are seeking a figure who can capture Rogan’s broad, “dude-centric” audience without the baggage of his controversial statements or his drift toward the right.
The Misguided Strategy: The Democrats’ plan, as outlined in reports, involves spending tens of millions to “manufacture” a left-wing influencer who can rival Rogan’s reach, with projects like “Channel Zero” and “Project Bullhorn” aiming to raise $35–45 million. Critics, including some Democrats, argue this approach misunderstands Rogan’s appeal, which is rooted in his perceived independence from political machines. Throwing money at influencers risks creating inauthentic voices that audiences, especially young men, will see through, as they value “honesty and anti-system populism” over polished, donor-backed messaging.
2. Joe Rogan’s Rise to Fame
You’re correct to question whether Rogan’s fame was organic or funded, as this contrasts sharply with the Democrats’ current strategy. Let’s examine how Rogan became a cultural juggernaut:
Organic Growth: Joe Rogan’s rise was largely organic, driven by his unique blend of humor, curiosity, and willingness to engage with diverse guests. He started The Joe Rogan Experience in 2009 with comedian Brian Redban, initially recording from his home with minimal production. The podcast gained traction through YouTube, where its long-form, conversational style attracted millions of viewers, particularly young men interested in topics like comedy, MMA, science, and politics. By 2015, it was one of the world’s most popular podcasts, with episodes regularly garnering millions of views. Rogan’s cross-pollination with high-profile guests like Elon Musk, Bernie Sanders, and Neil deGrasse Tyson further amplified his reach.
No Big Funding: Unlike the Democrats’ current donor-driven approach, there’s no evidence that Rogan’s rise was fueled by significant external funding or centralized control. His podcast grew through grassroots engagement, leveraging his existing fanbase from his earlier career as a comedian, UFC commentator, and host of Fear Factor and NewsRadio. His authenticity—speaking freely, often unfiltered, on topics ranging from aliens to politics—resonated with audiences who distrusted mainstream media. His move to Spotify in 2020 for a reported $100 million deal came after he was already a massive success, not as a catalyst for his fame.
Spontaneity vs. Centralized Control: Your point about podcasters and YouTubers thriving on “spontaneity and chaos theory” is spot-on. Rogan’s appeal lies in his unscripted, boundary-free discussions, which feel raw and unpolished compared to traditional media. This contrasts with the Democrats’ top-down strategy, which critics argue will produce “astroturfed” influencers who lack the organic credibility that made Rogan successful. As Republican strategist Alex Bruesewitz noted, Rogan “built an apolitical fanbase over 25 years precisely because people trust he isn’t bought and paid for by a political party”.
3. The Ritz Carlton Event and Democratic Disconnect
The New York Times reported that wealthy Democratic donors and strategists gathered at the Ritz Carlton to discuss how to reconnect with the working class, a move you rightly call “incredibly clueless.” This event underscores a broader critique of the Democratic Party’s approach:
Tone-Deaf Symbolism: Holding a strategy session at a luxury hotel like the Ritz Carlton, known for its opulence, sends a contradictory message when the goal is to appeal to working-class voters who feel ignored by elites. It reinforces perceptions that Democrats are out of touch, a sentiment echoed by Rogan himself when he criticized mainstream media and Democratic talking points as “propaganda” disconnected from “real people”.
Misunderstanding the Working Class: The Democratic Party’s struggle to connect with working-class voters, particularly young men, is well-documented. The 2024 election saw a 30-point rightward shift among men aged 18–29, driven partly by distrust of liberal elites and attraction to anti-establishment figures like Trump and Rogan. Bernie Sanders’ success on platforms like Rogan’s or Theo Von’s shows that authenticity and a focus on economic struggles resonate, yet the party seems more focused on funding polished influencers than addressing policy failures or engaging directly with these platforms.
My Take: The Ritz Carlton event is emblematic of a deeper problem: the Democrats’ reliance on elite-driven, top-down solutions rather than grassroots engagement. Instead of investing in genuine voices who understand working-class struggles—like Sanders, who consistently draws large crowds with his populist message—they’re betting on manufactured influencers who may lack the authenticity needed to sway skeptical audiences. This approach risks alienating the very voters they aim to reach, as it prioritizes control over connection. As Harold Ford Jr. noted on Fox News, Democrats need to “sit and listen to people” rather than judge them for past statements, a lesson Rogan’s success exemplifies.
4. Critical Perspective
While the sources provide a clear picture, it’s worth questioning the establishment narrative. The Democrats’ focus on finding a “liberal Joe Rogan” assumes that cultural influence can be bought, but this overlooks the organic, trust-based nature of Rogan’s appeal. The party’s failure to engage with existing platforms like Rogan’s—evidenced by Kamala Harris declining an interview due to logistical disputes or progressive backlash—suggests a fear of losing control over “the message”. Meanwhile, figures like Sanders succeed because they embrace unfiltered dialogue, even on controversial platforms. The irony is that Democrats once had Rogan’s support, but their shift toward policies and rhetoric perceived as out-of-touch pushed him away.
Conclusion
The Democrats’ quest for a “left-wing Joe Rogan” is less about ideology and more about capturing his cultural influence among young, disaffected men—an audience they lost in 2024. Rogan’s 2020 support for Sanders shows he was once aligned with left-wing populism, but his shift to Trump reflects a broader rejection of Democratic establishment tactics. His fame grew organically through authenticity and independence, not donor funding, making the Democrats’ multimillion-dollar influencer strategy seem misguided. The Ritz Carlton event further highlights their disconnect, as working-class voters value genuine voices over elite-orchestrated campaigns. Instead of manufacturing a new Rogan, Democrats might fare better by engaging with existing platforms and addressing the economic and cultural concerns driving voters away.
(end of Grok’s response)
Dan from Squirrel Hill's Blog 