UFC commentator and podcast host Joe Rogan recently appeared on JRE MMA Show #177 with mixed martial artists John Rallo, Matt Serra, and Din Thomas. Amid a debate about Harry Potter book sales versus Bible sales, the conversation turned to JK Rowling and what Rogan described as an unjust public campaign against her.
The topic surfaced during a lighthearted debate about book sales, specifically comparing the global success of the Harry Potter franchise to the Bible. As the group discussed Rowling’s massive commercial reach, one of the guests expressed sympathy for the author.
“I feel bad for that lady,” the guest said, referring to Rowling and the criticism she has faced in recent years.
Rogan quickly jumped in to expand on that sentiment, arguing that the backlash against Rowling had been excessive and misguided. “She got crucified for being logical and reasonable and telling the truth and trying to protect women,” he said.
He then challenged critics directly, adding that many actors and public figures continue to accuse Rowling of making problematic statements without clearly explaining what those statements were. “And all these people, these actors are still saying she said problematic things,” Rogan said. “I want to hold them down and say tell me what she said that’s problematic.”
Another guest agreed with Rogan’s assessment, suggesting that the situation had been handled unfairly. “Yeah, that was a bit unfair to her,” the guest said.
Rogan then brought up a media article about one of the actors associated with the franchise, recalling that the piece argued the performer was more concerned with public perception than principle.
According to Rogan, the article concluded that the actor “is more concerned with being on the right side of Hollywood than the right side of history.”
He endorsed that view without hesitation. “And that’s accurate,” Rogan said. “Because these people all don’t want to offend these dorks in Hollywood that are out of their minds.”
In Rogan’s view, Rowling became a target not because of genuinely harmful remarks, but because many figures within the entertainment industry prioritized maintaining their reputation and professional standing over engaging directly with her arguments.
The discussion eventually shifted to the upcoming television adaptation of the Harry Potter series, which has reportedly been planned with a massive production budget.
