In a move that’s raising eyebrows across the political spectrum, Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly balked at the idea of appearing on Joe Rogan’s wildly popular podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience.” The refusal, according to Rogan, stemmed from campaign fears about progressive backlash, particularly over the sensitive topic of marijuana legalization—a subject Harris has long been criticized for due to her past as a prosecutor.
Rogan, who is known for his unfiltered style and ability to attract a massive audience, revealed on his Tuesday podcast that the Harris-Walz campaign had initially reached out to his team after former President Donald Trump’s high-profile appearance on the show. However, the sit-down never materialized, with Harris’ aides eventually nixing the idea over concerns that the interview could stir up unwanted controversy among the progressive left.
“I think they had requirements on things that she didn’t want to talk about,” Rogan explained. “She didn’t want to talk about marijuana legalization, which I thought was hilarious.”
The refusal to discuss such a topic on Rogan’s podcast is particularly puzzling, considering that Harris herself rolled out a new suite of policies aimed at appealing to black voters, including marijuana legalization. Yet, her previous record as a prosecutor in California, where she helped put many people behind bars for marijuana-related offenses, continues to haunt her. This discrepancy has led to ongoing criticism from her left-wing base, especially since the Vice President has attempted to reposition herself as an advocate for justice reform.
Rogan, ever the provocateur, mused that Harris’ reluctance to talk about legalizing marijuana was rooted in her “prosecuting record” and history of putting people in jail for cannabis-related charges.
Her refusal to engage with Rogan also highlights a broader issue for her campaign—concern that sitting down with the comedian and former UFC commentator could alienate her progressive base, which has become increasingly vocal in its demand for substantive criminal justice reform. Jennifer Palmieri, an adviser to second gentleman Douglas Emhoff, admitted as much in an interview with *The Financial Times*, stating that there was “backlash with some of our progressive staff” about Harris appearing on Rogan’s show. “How would that go over?” Palmieri asked. The answer, it seems, was simple: not well.
Harris’ hesitancy to engage with Rogan is not without consequence. The podcast has become a must-appear platform for politicians looking to connect with younger, more disengaged voters—particularly young men, a demographic that has been troublesome for Harris’ campaign. Her refusal to participate could be seen as another missed opportunity to win over voters who are critical of her establishment ties and lack of authenticity.
Indeed, the Harris-Walz campaign’s inability to navigate the podcast waters stands in stark contrast to the success of Trump’s wide-ranging, three-hour interview on Rogan’s show, which racked up nearly 50 million views. Rogan has expressed his frustration with Harris’ campaign strategy, suggesting that her reluctance to sit down for a real, unscripted conversation speaks volumes about her approach to the 2024 race. Rogan even referred to it as a “red flag” and implied that her campaign had been overly scripted, trying to avoid uncomfortable questions rather than confront them head-on.
As Rogan pointed out, the Harris campaign also had specific demands during negotiations, including limiting the interview to just an hour—a far cry from the 2-3 hour interviews that are standard on Rogan’s show. Furthermore, the campaign insisted that Harris wouldn’t make the trek to his studio in Austin, Texas, a request that Rogan deemed a dealbreaker.
While Harris did briefly travel to Houston on October 25, where she stumped with pop icon Beyoncé, it appears the invitation to appear on Rogan’s podcast wasn’t taken seriously. Her failure to capitalize on a platform that attracts millions of viewers—many of whom may be open to hearing her out—could prove costly as her campaign struggles to break through with key demographics.
Kamala Harris’ reluctance to engage with Rogan may be just another example of a Democratic establishment that is unwilling to venture into spaces that might challenge its narrative. But, as Bernie Sanders learned back in 2020 when he was “vilified” for appearing on Rogan’s show, avoiding uncomfortable conversations may not always be the wisest choice for a candidate trying to secure the support of a fractured and increasingly skeptical electorate.
With Rogan’s endorsement of Trump and his rising influence among disaffected voters, Harris’ refusal to engage with him only highlights the deepening divide within the Democratic Party and the challenge that lies ahead in her quest for re-election.
