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Comedy podcasts, once a realm of casual banter and stand-up stories, turned into unexpected platforms for political influence in the 2024 presidential election. Candidates from both parties participated in podcasts like The Joe Rogan Experience, This Past Weekend with Theo Von, and Flagrant, each sparking media buzz and drawing millions of viewers. Here’s a look at how comedians and their podcasts uniquely impacted the election and what this could mean for future political campaigns.
Joe Rogan Kicks Things Off with Controversy and Criticism
In early August, Joe Rogan became an election topic after MSNBC reportedly doctored clips of his commentary on Kamala Harris, sparking rumors of a potential lawsuit (which Rogan did not pursue). Shortly after, Rogan’s support of RFK Jr. led Donald Trump to jokingly suggest Rogan might get booed at a UFC event. Despite the rumors, Rogan continued his political podcast run, with Trump even calling him “a true patriot.”
Trump’s Podcast Tour and Theo Von’s Record-Breaking Episode
Trump’s major podcast circuit started with his August 20 appearance on This Past Weekend with Theo Von. Despite Von’s nerves, the episode quickly amassed over 14 million views, opening the door for more political appearances. Within weeks, Trump went on Flagrant for a 1.5-hour conversation that attracted 8 million views and ignited both praise and criticism from across the political spectrum. These long-form podcast interviews allowed Trump to speak beyond sound bites, reshaping his media image in a way traditional interviews hadn’t achieved.
Shane Gillis and Kamala Harris’s Comedy Snub
During this period, comedian Shane Gillis made headlines for turning down the chance to portray Trump on Saturday Night Live for its entire 50th season, signaling how comedians were becoming selective with their political associations. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris took a different approach, sticking to scripted comedy appearances like her brief SNL cold open on November 2, avoiding the unscripted podcast route that had become popular among candidates. While this kept her within a controlled media presence, it may have also distanced her from a significant younger audience who favored unscripted and candid exchanges.
Joe Rogan’s “Surprise” Endorsement for Trump
The biggest headline came on November 4, when Rogan posted his conversation with Elon Musk on X (formerly Twitter), including a statement that Trump “makes the most compelling case” for president. Though Rogan’s previous endorsements in past elections included Bernie Sanders and Tulsi Gabbard, his nod to Trump marked a shift to the right and intensified the conversation on the role of podcasts in political influence.
Podcast Appearances: The New Political Strategy?
With Joe Rogan, Theo Von, and Andrew Schultz bringing in tens of millions of views, podcasts became an essential platform for political candidates in 2024. Candidates who previously only engaged with traditional media began flocking to the format, hoping to connect with the younger demographic that relies less on cable news. Harris’s team reportedly struggled to coordinate a Rogan appearance, which left an impression that her campaign might have missed out on this crucial demographic.
What This Means for 2028
The success of the 2024 election cycle’s podcast appearances suggests that in 2028, podcasts will be part of nearly every candidate’s campaign strategy. However, with more politicians in the comedy podcast space, there’s a risk of diluting the unique appeal of these interviews, as the novelty wears off.
The outcome of 2024 suggests that comedy podcasts are no longer just places for light-hearted entertainment—they are increasingly where culture and politics intersect. If there’s anything the election revealed, it’s that long-form podcast discussions may be one of the few remaining formats where politicians can come across as genuine. And in a media landscape craving authenticity, that connection is more valuable than ever.