Joe Rogan Claims Two Former Presidents Pressured Spotify Over COVID Comments

Joe Rogan revealed that two unnamed former U.S. presidents contacted Spotify to express concerns over his COVID-19 commentary on 'The Joe Rogan Experience' podcast, particularly his discussion of using ivermectin as part of his treatment. Despite significant backlash, including musician Neil Young's protest that led to the temporary removal of his music from Spotify, Rogan's podcast gained two million new subscribers within a month, with Rogan portraying himself as reasonable for questioning mainstream narratives. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek maintained that the company would not change its policies due to external pressures, although some episodes were removed. The controversy has drawn widespread media attention and sparked speculation about censorship and free speech, with Rogan criticizing mainstream media as corrupt and profit-driven. Additionally, the news influenced financial markets, causing Spotify's stock to rise modestly and impacting related cryptocurrency assets linked to media and free speech themes. Rogan's disclosures have fueled ongoing debates about content moderation on major platforms and the role of influential figures in shaping public discourse.