Joe Rogan, the influential podcaster and cultural commentator, has long defied easy political categorization. While his recent association with conservative figures and criticism of progressive policies has led many to view him as right-leaning, a recent conversation on The Joe Rogan Experience reveals something else.
During an episode with comedian Bryan Callen, Rogan’s position on reproductive freedom emerged as distinctly pro-choice, standing in contrast to the conservative movement he’s been increasingly aligned with in recent years. .
When discussing abortion during the podcast, Rogan articulated concerns about government overreach into women’s bodily autonomy. The conversation touched on the troubling implications of prosecuting women who cross state lines to seek abortions in states where the procedure remains legal. “That gets slippery,” Rogan noted, expressing discomfort with the idea of tracking women’s reproductive decisions through ovulation apps and other digital surveillance methods.
“You’re giving men the ability to track women’s behavior in a way that I think it’s hugely problematic,” Rogan said, acknowledging the invasive nature of such enforcement mechanisms. “Very f**king creepy.”
This position puts Rogan at odds with many in the conservative movement who have celebrated the overturning of Roe v. Wade and support state-level abortion restrictions. His libertarian-leaning perspective—emphasizing personal freedom and opposing government intrusion into private decisions—creates an interesting tension with his recent political associations.
Rogan’s willingness to defend abortion access becomes even more significant given his platform’s reach among conservative audiences. In recent years, he’s faced criticism from progressive circles for hosting controversial right-wing figures and expressing skepticism about COVID-19 policies, transgender inclusion in women’s sports, and other progressive priorities. His $200 million Spotify deal and endorsement of Donald Trump have cemented his reputation in some quarters as part of the conservative media ecosystem.
Yet on abortion, Rogan draws a clear line. He acknowledged that while there are legitimate debates about late-term procedures, early-term abortion should remain a woman’s choice.”When you get to like 8 months or 7 months, you’re like, ‘Whoa, that is a full-on baby inside of you’ If someone is pregnant for four weeks, that’s your choice. I don’t think anybody should be stepping in,” he stated definitively.
“I mostly think in a left way mostly, but I also am a firm believer in discipline and human nature and personal responsibility.” He describes himself as supporting personal freedom while maintaining traditional values around work ethic and accountability.