What Joe Rogan has said about COVID-19 lockdowns

Rogan argues that pharmaceutical television advertising, legal only in the US and New Zealand, suppresses media criticism of drug side effects.

“Those are the only two countries that allow pharmaceutical drug companies to advertise on television”

The Joe Rogan Experience: #2524 - Rupert Lowe (Jul 8, 2026) · Listen from 1:28:06

Rogan argues California lockdown policymakers should have had their pay tied to local economic performance, since they imposed rules for optics without consequence.

“all these people that are saying that you should have no outdoor dining, your paycheck should be entirely dependent on the GDP of your city”

The Joe Rogan Experience: #2480 - Arsenio Hall (Apr 8, 2026) · Listen from 57:38

Rogan explains he left California over looting and police standing down, which undermined his faith in law and order.

“When the looting hit, I had zero faith in their ability to maintain law and order”

The Joe Rogan Experience: #1555 - Alex Jones & Tim Dillon (Oct 27, 2020) · Listen from 1:46:39

Rogan interprets Whitmer's quote as criticism of Trump's virus response rather than a pledge to keep lockdowns.

“What she's saying is that Trump has done such a shitty job. That's the reason why we're locked down”

The Joe Rogan Experience: #1555 - Alex Jones & Tim Dillon (Oct 27, 2020) · Listen from 2:07:13