Joe Rogan Has Turned Against Trump

Joe Rogan Breaks from Trump Over Due-Process Deportations

For years, podcaster Joe Rogan counted Donald Trump among his political allies, often praising the former president’s positions on free speech and deregulation. However, in recent months Rogan has sharply criticized the administration’s second-term immigration tactics—particularly the mass deportation of alleged gang members without judicial oversight—warning that such policies risk turning America into “monsters” in the pursuit of security.

From Podcaster to Political Commentator

Joe Rogan first gained national renown through The Joe Rogan Experience, a long-form podcast launched in 2009 that regularly features guests from diverse fields—comedy, politics, science, and beyond. Although Rogan has described himself as politically independent, he publicly supported Trump in both 2016 and 2020, praising the president’s outsider status and willingness to challenge political correctness. By early 2025, however, Rogan’s commentary had shifted from cheerleader to critic.

Rogan’s evolution reflects both his growing confidence as a political observer and his frustration with what he sees as overreach in enforcement. Speaking on the April 17 episode of his podcast, he condemned a policy to “round up gang members and ship them to El Salvador with no due process,” calling it “dangerous” and cautioning, “We gotta be careful that we don’t become monsters while we’re fighting monsters.”

The Abrego Garcia Case: Catalyst for Criticism

The turning point for Rogan appears to have been the wrongful deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a longtime U.S. resident and barber with no criminal record who was sent to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador under allegations of gang affiliation later proven baseless. The case sparked a legal and diplomatic firestorm: a federal court had issued an injunction against his removal, and the U.S. Supreme Court ordered his return—orders the administration initially refused to follow.

Rogan seized on Abrego Garcia’s ordeal as emblematic of a broader problem. He derided the use of unreviewed tattoo-based intelligence—agents claimed Abrego Garcia’s crown tattoos signified membership in Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang, despite his lifetime residence in Florida—as “horrific” and urged listeners to demand accountability.

Industry and Political Reaction

Rogan’s remarks quickly reverberated through Washington. In an ABC News interview on Trump’s 100th day in office, anchor Terry Moran pressed the president on Rogan’s warning. To Moran’s surprise, Trump agreed that due-process protections are important and vowed to “make sure we don’t become monsters” even as he defended his broader immigration crackdown.

Legal experts and civil-rights groups have applauded Rogan’s stance. The Brennan Center for Justice, which criticized the administration’s invocation of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to justify deportations, praised Rogan for highlighting risks to constitutional rights [9]. Similarly, an AP News analysis noted that—even as public opinion has grown more accepting of stricter border enforcement—many Americans remain uneasy about deportations carried out without judicial review.

Broader Implications for Trump’s Second Term

Rogan’s break is notable not only because of his previous support for Trump but also because it amplifies dissent within conservative circles. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that, while 45 percent of Americans approve of Trump’s immigration policies overall, support drops to 33 percent when respondents learn that some deportations bypass courts entirely.

Moreover, Rogan’s critique arrives amid reports that the administration’s deportation surge has overfilled detention centers and strained diplomatic relations with Central American allies. Axios reported last month that new military facilities are being prepared to house detainees, raising fresh concerns about civil-liberties violations.

What Comes Next

As the 2026 midterms approach, both parties are recalibrating. Democrats view Rogan’s comments as a rallying cry to defend due process, while Republicans wary of alienating libertarian-leaning voters may temper enforcement rhetoric. For his part, Rogan has vowed to continue using his platform to challenge policies he deems unfair, regardless of political affiliation—a stance that cements his role as one of the most influential independent voices in American discourse.

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