Joe Rogan Accuses Trump of Starting Iran War to Distract From Epstein Scandal

Joe Rogan, once an outspoken supporter of Donald Trump, has taken a sharp turn in his criticism of the former president, accusing him of starting the war in Iran as a deliberate distraction from the Epstein files. Speaking on his podcast this week, Rogan suggested that the conflict was a calculated move to shift public focus away from the damaging revelations linked to Jeffrey Epstein’s trafficking network.

Rogan’s guest, comedian Arsenio Hall, framed “misdirection” as central to American politics, citing Bill Clinton’s 1999 bombing campaign in Yugoslavia as a historical example of using foreign conflict to drown out domestic scandals. Rogan agreed and pointed to the current Iran war as the latest iteration of this tactic.

“Look, the Epstein files come out — we go to war with Iran. It’s a good way to get people to stop talking about certain things,” Rogan said. “You give them a new problem to think about.”

The Epstein files have repeatedly referenced Trump’s connections to Epstein, though the former president denies any criminal wrongdoing and insists he severed ties with Epstein years before the financier’s 2008 conviction.

Rogan’s criticism of Trump has intensified since the Iran conflict began. He has condemned “Operation Epic Fury” as reckless and warned it could escalate into World War III. He also questioned Trump’s capacity to lead responsibly at age 79, fearing he “doesn’t have much to lose.”

“That’s spooky,” Rogan said. “You’re making decisions for babies and children and the future of the world, and you’ve only got 10, maybe 10 years left on Earth if everything goes great.”

Rogan also expressed that many of Trump’s supporters feel “betrayed” by the war, noting that Trump campaigned on promises to end “stupid, senseless wars.” Yet polling shows the MAGA base largely backs the military action.

Despite his past endorsement of Trump in 2024, Rogan now dismisses the MAGA movement as a “bunch of f****** dorks,” criticizing its mix of “crackpot Christian nationalists” who allegedly support the war to hasten apocalyptic prophecies.

This shift in Rogan’s stance highlights the growing fractures within Trump’s coalition and underscores the broader pattern of political leaders using war to distract from scandals and consolidate power. As the Iran conflict unfolds, Rogan’s warnings serve as a stark reminder of the stakes for democracy and global stability.

The White House has yet to respond to requests for comment on Rogan’s allegations.