Joe Rogan and Elon Musk have hit back at comments made by Kim Williams, the chair of the ABC, who accused the podcaster of ‘preying on people’s vulnerabilities.’ Rogan, responding with a dismissive ‘LOL WUT,’ shared a clip of Williams’ criticism on social media platform X. Musk joined the fray, likening the ABC to Russian state media, calling it ‘Pravda’ — a term associated with the Soviet Union’s official newspaper. In a statement during his National Press Club address, Williams claimed that figures like Rogan exploit fear and anxiety, contributing to societal uncertainty and promoting conspiracy theories. He expressed disbelief that someone with Rogan’s influence exists in the US, calling it ‘deeply repulsive.’ Musk’s comments also touched on Australian government plans to limit social media for youth, arguing it would lead to greater government control over internet access. Following the backlash from Rogan and Musk, Williams noted he faced an onslaught of aggressively negative responses, stating that simply voicing an opinion on Rogan led to accusations of having a ‘warped outlook’ and being ‘unhinged.’ The conversation surrounding Rogan’s impact is particularly relevant as discussions arise about whether Vice-President Kamala Harris should have appeared on his podcast during her campaign, a move that drew comparisons to Donald Trump’s successful appearance on the show. Despite speculation, Rogan confirmed that an interview with Harris would not take place, although her team expressed interest. A senior adviser for Harris commented that scheduling conflicts ultimately prevented the appearance, but insisted it did not influence the election’s outcome.
