by Shelt Garner
@sheltgarner
The United States is one stolen election away from formally becoming an autocratic “managed democracy” like they have in Russia. One of the more curious media phenomena in this politically overheated moment in our history is Joe Rogan.
Now, let make it absolutely clear that this “media commentary’ on my part is cursory and breezy. I’m just using what I feel I know off the top of my head, so I’m going to be rather fuzzy about some details.
But, anyway, in general, it seems as though Rogan wants it both ways. He was main stream acceptability, while at the same time refusing to pick a side in the political division America finds itself in. He wants to, with a wink and a nod, support MAGA without coming out and saying it. He hides behinds a facade of masculine earnestness, which is why he has earned the nickname “Oprah for Dudes.”
He knows that if he can have a thin veneer of main stream credibility, his cultural relevance will be significantly greater. But it seems to me that this whole thing is a massive cop-out. There simply is no credible reason not to pick a side and this point. Besides, we all know if push comes to shove Rogan is MAGA.
Which raises an interesting question.
Now that the United States is a fascist state, is it possible that Rogan is playing the long game? He’s a young guy, if he plays his cards right he could very well find himself in line to be far, far close to the Oval Office than any of us could possibly otherwise imagine.
It might be a decade or so before House Trump allows anyone other than a Trump to be president, but the possibility is very real. Things will be so dark by then, of course, that Rogan may be one of the few independent voices left in the media, period.
Anyway, Rogan is a reasonably good interviewer. The only real problem I have with him is he’s kind of a media gateway drug to the Alt Right and Qanon.
