During “The Joe Rogan Experience” on July 28, 2023, critically acclaimed podcast host Joe Rogan suggested the January 6 storming of the Capitol was a plot hatched by the United States government’s intelligence agencies to depose former President Trump.
Rogan also hinted at Ray Epps, a member of the Oath Keepers, potentially being a federal agent who provoked the January 6 incident.
He called attention to how Epps was not arrested for his participation in January 6, while countless other demonstrators were jailed for their roles in the protests.
Joe Rogan suggests Jan. 6 Capitol riot was a set-up to bring down Donald Trump https://t.co/5esF11aTg6 pic.twitter.com/GdQbBixjNs
— New York Post (@nypost) July 31, 2023
Epps recently filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News for several assertions made on-air about how he allegedly incited the storming of the Capitol.
Rogan referred to a video where Epps was caught telling a crowd of Trump supporters that they should make their way into the Capitol. As a response, the pro-Trump protestors started a chant accusing Epps of being a federal informant.
Epps subsequently argued he was calling for a peaceful protest, which is constitutionally-protected activity.
Joe Rogan destroying Jim Gaffigan.pic.twitter.com/QXBaAJ14sB
— The Redheaded libertarian (@TRHLofficial) July 30, 2023
Rogan also called attention to how mainstream media outlets, such as the New York Times and Washington Post, defended Epps. On top of that, Rogan mentioned there have been multiple reports of hundreds of federal agents being present at the Capitol who were inciting the riot.
Although Rogan did not provide any specifics as to who encouraged the January 6 storming of the Capitol, he claimed the federal government uses agent provocateurs to derail peaceful protests.
Despite Rogan’s seemingly pro-Trump remarks, he still has no real desire to interview the former president. Rogan’s audience has a strong pro-Trump segment that has clamored for the internationally-recognized podcaster to give Trump a platform.
In an era of an increasingly decentralized media ecosystem, podcasters like Joe Rogan have shaken up political discourse by challenging conventional wisdom and providing a massive platform to political contrarians.
Rogan’s suggestions that January 6 was largely a government-sponsored disruption will only generate more conspiracy theories surrounding the federal government’s role in disrupting otherwise peaceful protests.
This article appeared in TheDailyBeat and has been published here with permission.
