Joe Rogan’s podcast dropped a bombshell, urging a Texas Democrat to aim for the White House. On Friday’s episode of his wildly popular show, Rogan tossed a curveball by suggesting State Rep. James Talarico, a self-described progressive from Austin, should run for president. The idea sparked a fiery debate about leadership, power, and who really calls the shots in politics.
Fox News reported that Rogan, no stranger to shaking up the political scene, spent nearly three hours chatting with Talarico, a Democratic State Representative from Austin, Texas, before floating the presidential bid.
The conversation covered everything from public safety to the influence of mega-donors, with Talarico emphasizing the power of ordinary people over political elites. It’s a bold claim, but one that raises eyebrows when you consider the system’s entrenched interests.
Talarico, who’s carved out a name as a proud progressive, didn’t shy away from critiquing the establishment. He’s previously taken swings at Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, calling him a public safety threat after the tragic Uvalde mass shooting in 2022.
That kind of rhetoric might thrill the left, but it leaves conservatives wondering if he’s more about grandstanding than solutions.
Rogan’s endorsement of Talarico isn’t his first rodeo backing Democrats. He’s previously supported Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, showing he’s not afraid to cross party lines when he sees integrity. But his cheerleading for Talarico feels like a stretch, given Rogan’s vocal disdain for progressive policies like lockdowns.
“You need to run for president. We need someone who’s a good person,” Rogan said, pinning his hopes on Talarico’s character.
Nice sentiment, Joe, but character alone doesn’t fix a broken system drowning in bureaucracy and woke agendas.
Talarico, to his credit, didn’t take the bait and declare a candidacy. Instead, he pivoted to a broader point about power. “The change is going to come from your listeners, not from me,” he said, suggesting the real fight lies with the people, not politicians.
Talarico’s take on power is intriguing but smells of populist posturing. He claimed billionaire mega-donors “run this whole thing” and fear the people’s influence. That’s a convenient talking point, but it sidesteps how progressives often cozy up to the same elite circles they criticize.
“I like Bernie a whole lot, but some people treat him as if he’s a messianic figure,” Talarico said, comparing Sanders’ cult-like following to Trump’s. He’s not wrong—both sides have their idols—but it’s rich coming from a progressive who’s quick to demonize conservative leaders. Pot, meet kettle.
Talarico’s appearance on Rogan’s show wasn’t his first high-profile moment. He spoke at the SXSW 2024 Conference, a hub for progressive ideas and cultural clout. That platform suggests he’s already eyeing a bigger stage, whether he admits it or not.
Talarico’s past attacks on Gov. Abbott reveal a deep divide. In 2022, he labeled Abbott “the greatest public safety threat” to Texans, tying him to the Uvalde shooting response and Covid-19 policies. It’s a bold accusation, but it ignores the complexity of governing a state as vast as Texas.
“Texans are dying,” Talarico declared, pointing to Uvalde’s kids and teachers, plus Covid-19 deaths he attributes to Abbott’s early bar reopenings.
The emotional appeal lands, but it’s a one-sided jab that glosses over the broader context of crime and policy trade-offs. Blaming Abbott alone feels like a cheap shot.
Rogan, meanwhile, has hosted guests who pinned Uvalde’s failures on the “Defund the Police” movement, a progressive darling Talarico conveniently avoids addressing. That silence speaks volumes—criticizing Abbott is easy, but questioning his own side’s policies? Not so much.
Talarico’s claim that “the people” hold the real power sounds empowering but rings hollow. If billionaires and elites are as scared as he says, why do progressive policies often align with corporate interests? It’s a contradiction that undermines his grassroots rhetoric.
Rogan’s push for Talarico to run reflects a broader hunger for authentic leadership, a sentiment conservatives share.
Yet Talarico’s progressive label and anti-Abbott crusades suggest he’s more aligned with the woke crowd than Rogan might hope. Good intentions don’t always mean good policy.
