AUSTIN, TEXAS: Joe Rogan and his guest Post Malone have blasted the government's idea of a digital dollar issued by the United States central bank, calling it a "game over" scenario for the residents.
During a recent episode of the popular podcast 'The Joe Rogan Experience', Rogan and rapper Malone discussed the US banking system, pausing to discuss the potential abuses of power that could come with CBDCs in the country.
Rogan's podcast has over 11 million views every episode on average. Meanwhile, Malone has 31 million followers on both Twitter and Instagram. It comes as CBDC discussions have begun to make their way into US presidential campaigns.
'That's game over'
During the 'JRE' episode, Malone questioned Rogan on the government's digital currency. Rogan was adamantly opposed to CBDCs, saying, “No f**king way. That’s what I think. That’s checkmate. That’s game over.” Malone agreed, adding, “That is f**king checkmate.”
Rogan outlined a scenario in which the government could tie the flow of a CBDC to one's social credit score, implying that citizens could be easily cut off from their finances if they broke the laws.
Rogan stated, "If they decide somehow or another that you need some social credit score system and it’s for the benefit of society, and they outline that, they can track your behavior and your tweets and all your things [...] They just decided you f**ked up, and the rules are the rules,”
A content creator on Twitter wrote sharing Rogan's clip, "Not your regular chat @PostMalone asked @joerogan, “So how do you feel about the government’s #digital currency that they’re working [on]?” #Rogan: “No f**king way. No way. That’s what I think. I think that’s checkmate. That’s game over.” #Bitcoin or Slavery"
Post Malone discussed Bitcoin
Malone has expressed his concerns about the financial system, noting that FDIC insurance only covers bank account values up to $250,000. The pair also discussed the Canadian government's contentious move to freeze the bank accounts of the "Freedom Convoy" truckers in February 2022.
Malone contended that the government has too much control over the flow of ordinary people's cash and that it might shut off support to anyone at any time. It mirrors similar sentiments expressed by decentralized cryptocurrency enthusiasts.
Meanwhile, CBDCs have become a political hot topic in the nation. In July, Republican presidential contender and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis vowed to outlaw CBDCs in the country if elected. On the other side of the aisle, Democratic candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr attacked CBDCs as "control instruments," instead promising to support the US currency with actual assets like Bitcoin BTC.