LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: Donald Trump and Joe Rogan garnered a boisterous reception from the crowd at UFC 290 on Saturday, July 8, evening, as they attended the mixed martial arts (MMA) event in Las Vegas. Trump even shook hands with Rogan, despite the fact that the podcaster once labeled Trump an 'existential threat to democracy'.
Trump met with important political allies and celebrities at T-Mobile Arena, including actors Mel Gibson and Mark Wahlberg, as well as famous chef Guy Fieri. During the occasion, former political consultant, Roger Stone, posted a photo of himself, Trump, and Gibson in conversation.
Donald Trump and Joe Rogan spotted together
Inside the arena, Trump was spotted conversing with Rogan, as well as briefly shaking hands with actor Mark Wahlberg. The former president, who is running for re-election in 2024, caught sight of Rogan, pointed at him, and walked over. Rogan smiled before the pair entered into a 10-second handshake that seemed entirely friendly. The exchange, which circulated widely on social media, arrived despite Rogan's up-and-down history of commenting on Trump, his leadership, and his behavior. A user shared a clip of Trump and Rogan's encounter. He wrote, "Trump just hit Joe Rogan with the alpha 5 min handshake. Trump can’t be stopped."
Joe Rogan and Donald Trump's past controversies
Last year, Rogan labeled Trump a 'man baby' during an episode recorded with comedian Tom Segura, as per Daily Mail. Segura said that when former White House advisor Jared Kushner had a piece of bad news to deliver to the commander-in-chief, he would place it between two pieces of good news to soften the blow. "Of course! He's a man baby," said Rogan, while calling some of Trump's supporters 'morons'.
Rogan has famously never hosted the former president on his podcast, which is listened to by tens of millions daily. He has on multiple occasions said he is not keen on platforming Trump in that capacity. "I'm not a Trump supporter in any way, shape, or form," Rogan told podcast 'Lex Friedman' in 2022.
In the past, Trump has praised Rogan, referring to him as an "interesting and popular guy," and he has defended him in the wake of the controversy over Rogan's use of the N-word.
