The 54-year-old presenter of the Joe Rogan Experience (JRE) podcast made contentious remarks about the homeless population in Los Angeles, California, on the episode that aired on Thursday, July 14. During his conversation with comic Tom Segura in the show, Rogan appeared to make light of the killing of a few homeless people.
A week after the program aired, Rogan received harsh internet backlash for his remarks. In the program, Rogan recommended that Segura and perhaps the viewers shoot the homeless.
Some of the numerous tweets denouncing Rogan’s remarks implied that the podcaster’s ominous proposal about shooting vagrants would actually inspire someone. In a tweet, one person (@PlzCallMeT) mentioned:
“This is neither free speech nor a comedic routine. It’s a disgusting podcaster who supports violence.”
The JRE podcaster has not yet responded to the outrage his statements in the episode sparked.
What did Joe Rogan have to say about Los Angeles’ homeless population?
To promote his new book I’d Like to Play Alone, Please: Essays, Tom Segura joined Joe Rogan as a guest on the 1844th edition of the podcast. But when Rogan recalled an instance in which a homeless person blocked a section of the road with their possessions, a cart, and a car, their talk went gloomy. According to Rogan’s memory, he saw four port-a-potties near the homeless encampment. He went on to describe how one of them had partially blocked the route.
A short while later, the two made a joke about how someone would be arrested if they attempted to transfer a vagrant’s possessions or goods. Joe Rogan then shared a drastic strategy to address homelessness in Los Angeles. According to the former MMA commentator:
“However, if you shot someone, they wouldn’t arrest you. Perhaps you should just go kill the homeless.”
Tom Segura, a comic, praised Rogan for his proposal, which added gasoline to the fire. He expressed his “like” for the host’s thoughts.
Internet users severely criticize Joe Rogan for his remarks regarding homeless people
The broadcaster has come under fire online since the podcast episode from last week went viral. Many online users stated on Twitter that Rogan need to be held responsible if even one homeless person is shot.
Further tweets noted that the host’s remark was not surprising given that he has made numerous divisive claims on his podcast over the years. A few tweets, though, also defended Rogan and referred to his remarks as jokes.
One user said that Joe Rogan couldn’t see why it was unlawful to steal goods from the homeless. Let me say that again: a very wealthy person who laughs into a microphone that he knows is on doesn’t understand why people who are homeless are entitled to property protection rights.
Joe Rogan suggested we should “kill homeless people,” which was stunning because it was the first time he had ever referred to them as “people,” according to another user.
Another individual remarked that if even one person is hurt as a result of Joe Rogan’s heinous remarks about shooting the homeless, his blood will be on his hands.
A user commented, “The left is pissed at Joe Rogan for making a rather crude joke about homelessness.” He has angered the right by poking fun of Trump.
Theo Henderson, a podcast presenter, and champion for homeless rights, called Rogan’s views “repulsive” in a statement to Variety. He stated:
“It irritates me because it’s not only outdated, but it ignores the fact that housed people frequently attack homeless people. I find it incomprehensible that you would support trying to shoot unhoused people or simply give those who do not view unhoused people as human beings these dog whistles.”
A number of online users share the same ideas, as seen by the aforementioned Twitter responses. Whether Rogan will retract his remarks is still up in the air.