Podcast host Joe Rogan alleged that former U.S. presidents were among those who contacted Spotify Technology SA during the height of the backlash against his podcast over COVID-19 discussions. Speaking on Wednesday’s episode of The Joe Rogan Experience with behavioral expert Chase Hughes, Rogan reflected on the controversy surrounding his pandemic-era commentary, stating the campaign against him extended far beyond public criticism.

Pressure campaign details

Discussing the fallout from his views on vaccines, lockdowns, and COVID-19 policies, Rogan said he faced organized efforts to damage both his show and business relationships. "They tried to crush my sponsors. They organized campaigns. There was PACs involved," Rogan said.

The comedian and podcast host then made a more striking claim about behind-the-scenes pressure on Spotify. "I can’t even talk about it. But there was presidents involved and former presidents involved that were contacting Spotify," Rogan said. "Trying to get me removed for vaccine misinformation."

Financial scale of efforts

According to Rogan, the efforts to remove him were extensive. "There was a lot of coordination," he said. "They spent a lot of money. A lot of money. It wasn’t a small amount of money. It wasn’t a small amount of people. It was a lot of people and a lot of money."

Rogan credited Spotify with resisting the pressure campaign, adding: "Thank God I was on Spotify."

Platform response and context

Rogan became the center of a national controversy in 2022 after critics accused him of spreading COVID-19 misinformation through guests and commentary on The Joe Rogan Experience. The dispute escalated when musician Neil Young removed his music from Spotify in protest, with several other artists following suit.

Spotify ultimately kept Rogan’s podcast on the platform while introducing COVID-19 content advisories and publishing additional platform rules.