Joe Rogan reveals two former presidents called Spotify over COVID comments

In late 2021, during discussions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, Joe Rogan faced significant scrutiny for his comments about the virus and treatments, including the use of Ivermectin. As host of The Joe Rogan Experience, he recalled that following controversial remarks, even former presidents reacted, contacting Spotify in response to what some viewed as misinformation. Rogan's claims included that his discussions prompted a boycott by artists like Neil Young, who demanded his removal from the streaming platform. However, rather than being deplatformed, Rogan experienced growth in his audience, reportedly adding two million subscribers in a month, indicating that many listeners were curious about his perspective. Rogan articulated his frustration with mainstream media coverage of his podcast, particularly concerning the characterization of Ivermectin as merely a horse dewormer, as well as a narrative that painted him as irresponsible. In his retrospective comments, he displayed a sense of betrayal by the journalistic community, expressing that his experiences revealed a darker side of media motives, which he perceived as prioritizing profits over truthful reporting. Linked to these events was a statement from Jen Psaki, who was the press secretary under President Biden at the time, acknowledging the need for platforms to combat misinformation while promoting good information about COVID-19. She highlighted the growing concern about the accuracy of information citizens receive about the pandemic. Despite declarations from media and authorities about misinformation, this episode with Rogan culminated in increased interest in his content. Ultimately, Rogan concluded that instead of silencing him, the backlash served to elevate his profile among audiences curious about the differing opinions surrounding COVID-19 responses. His experience during this period exemplified ongoing tensions between content creators and traditional media, with implications for how health information is disseminated to the public. Rogan's comments have resonated in discussions about censorship, freedom of speech, and the responsibilities of media platforms.