Rogan responded to a question from an audience member Tuesday night during a stand-up comedy performance in Austin, Texas, about whether he would move the podcast, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“No, Spotify has hung in with me, inexplicably, let’s see what happens,” Rogan said, according to THR.
Monday, the video hosting platform tweeted at Rogan, suggesting the podcaster leave Spotify and bring his show to Rumble, including the dozens of episodes that have been removed from Spotify in recent weeks.
“How about you bring all your shows to Rumble, both old and new, with no censorship, for 100 million bucks over four years?” read a statement in the tweet, which was signed by Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski.
The “Featured Channels” section of Rumble’s website includes several prominent Republican and far-right commentators and politicians, including former President Donald Trump, Steve Bannon and Dan Bongino, as well as far-right news outlets like Newsmax. The website also hosts pages for news outlets including Reuters and the New York Post.
Rogan has faced increasing criticism in recent weeks after over 200 medical professionals wrote a letter to Spotify accusing his podcast of spreading misinformation about COVID vaccines and treatments, as well as widely circulated videos containing several clips of Rogan using derogatory language including the N-word, Newsweek reported.
“That video had always been out there. It’s like, this is a political hit job,” Rogan said on an episode of his podcast released Tuesday, according to Variety. “And so they’re taking all this stuff I’ve ever said that’s wrong and smushing it all together.”
However, he also said in the episode that the situation is a “relief” because “it makes me address some s*** that I really wish wasn’t out there,” Variety reported.
Trump released a statement Tuesday criticizing Rogan for apologizing to the “Fake News and Radical Left maniacs and lunatics” and said Rogan shouldn’t let them make him look “weak and frightened.”
Rogan disagreed in his Tuesday podcast and said people who listen to him often and pay attention would hopefully understand when something is said with negative intent rather than simply trying to be funny and saying the wrong thing.
“You should apologize if you regret something. I do think you have to be careful not to apologize for nonsense,” Rogan said, according to THR.
In the Tuesday night stand-up appearance, Rogan also addressed the criticisms from medical professionals and other entertainers that his podcast has been a vehicle for misinformation over COVID vaccines.
“I talk s*** for a living—that’s why this is so baffling to me,” Rogan said, according to THR. “If you’re taking vaccine advice from me, is that really my fault? What dumb s*** were you about to do when my stupid idea sounded better? ‘You know that dude who made people eat animal d**** on TV?’” Rogan continued, referring to his stint hosting NBC’s Fear Factor from 2001 to 2006. “‘How does he feel about medicine?’ If you want my advice, don’t take my advice.”
Several musicians have requested their music be removed from Spotify over Rogan’s comments on COVID and race and the fact that they did not want to share the platform with him. The protest was started by Neil Young, and later joined by Joni Mitchell and India.Arie, as well as Young’s former bandmates David Crosby, Graham Nash and Stephen Stills.
Update 2/9/22 at 2:35 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with additional information.
