Joe Rogan’s Criticism of Trump Administration Highlights Fractures Over Epstein Files

Joe Rogan, the popular podcaster whose endorsement helped propel Donald J. Trump to victory in 2024, has emerged as one of the most prominent voices criticizing the president’s administration over its handling of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, the financier and convicted sex offender who died in 2019.

In episodes of “The Joe Rogan Experience” this year, Mr. Rogan has repeatedly expressed frustration with what he described as a lack of transparency from the Justice Department and the F.B.I. regarding Epstein’s case. He has accused officials of “gaslighting” the public and questioned promises made during the campaign to release a so-called client list or incriminating materials.

“This is a line in the sand,” Mr. Rogan said in a July episode, referring to the administration’s initial memo declaring no further disclosures warranted after reviewing Epstein-related holdings. He pointed to earlier statements from Attorney General Pam Bondi and F.B.I. Director Kash Patel suggesting significant evidence, including videos, only for those claims to be walked back.

Mr. Rogan’s shift has resonated widely. His podcast, among the most listened-to in the country, reaches millions, particularly young men who were a key demographic in Mr. Trump’s electoral coalition. Analysts credit Mr. Rogan’s pre-election endorsement — made on the eve of voting day in 2024 after a lengthy interview with Mr. Trump — with helping mobilize low-propensity voters.

Yet by mid-2025, that support appeared to wane. In conversations with guests, including former C.I.A. officer Mike Baker, Mr. Rogan highlighted inconsistencies. He recalled Mr. Patel’s appearance on his show, where the F.B.I. director downplayed the existence of compromising tapes from Epstein’s properties. “Do you think we’re babies?” Mr. Rogan asked rhetorically in one episode, reacting to a surveillance video from Epstein’s cell with a missing minute.

The criticism extended beyond Epstein. Mr. Rogan also condemned the administration’s immigration enforcement actions, calling some raids “horrific” and questioning their scope. These comments underscored a broader disillusionment among some conservative-leaning commentators who had backed Mr. Trump.

Late-night television has amplified the scrutiny. Jimmy Kimmel, a frequent Trump critic, devoted monologues to the Epstein controversy, joking about a impending “Hurricane Epstein” as Congress pushed for releases. In November, after lawmakers passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act — which Mr. Trump signed despite initial resistance — Mr. Kimmel quipped about potential redactions or delays, drawing ire from the president, who called for Mr. Kimmel’s removal from the air.

The act mandated full disclosure by mid-December, but the Justice Department’s partial, rolling releases have drawn bipartisan complaints. Lawmakers like Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican co-sponsor, and Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic minority leader, accused the administration of noncompliance. Thousands of pages emerged, including photos and communications mentioning figures across politics and entertainment, though Mr. Trump’s name appeared infrequently in the new tranche.

Victims’ advocates and transparency groups expressed disappointment over redactions protecting privacy and ongoing investigations. “We have been let down,” said one survivor in public statements.

Mr. Trump has dismissed much of the uproar as a “hoax” orchestrated by opponents, while ordering probes into Democrats linked to Epstein. He has long maintained that his relationship with the financier ended acrimoniously years before Epstein’s crimes became public.

For Mr. Rogan, the issue represents a broken promise. “They want you to be compromised,” he warned in one episode, echoing conspiracy-tinged concerns about elite control that have animated his audience. While he has not withdrawn his past endorsement explicitly, his repeated critiques signal a rift.

As 2025 draws to a close, the Epstein saga continues to expose divisions within Mr. Trump’s base. Podcasters and comedians who once rallied supporters now voice skepticism, reflecting broader questions about accountability in the administration’s second term.

Political observers note that such fractures, though not yet electoral threats, could influence future midterms if unaddressed. Public polls throughout the year showed widespread belief that details remain hidden, fueling demands for fuller disclosure.

In the meantime, Mr. Rogan’s platform remains a barometer. His willingness to challenge allies — once unthinkable for many in the “manosphere” media ecosystem — illustrates the limits of loyalty when campaign pledges go unfulfilled.