The chair of the ABC, Kim Williams, has ignited a firestorm of reactions, including from podcasting heavyweight Joe Rogan and the world’s richest man, Elon Musk. Williams recently described Rogan as someone who ‘preyed on people’s vulnerabilities,’ a comment Rogan found ‘deeply repulsive.’ Rogan took to social media platform X to share a clip of Williams’ criticism, captioning it with ‘LOL WUT’. Musk responded shortly after, likening the ABC to Russian state media, calling it ‘their Pravda’ in a separate post.
During his address at the National Press Club, Williams expressed concern over the influence of personalities like Rogan, claiming they exploit fear and anxiety, contributing to societal uncertainty and fostering conspiracy theories. He expressed disbelief over the power someone like Rogan holds in the United States, stating, ‘I personally find it deeply repulsive.’
The controversy comes on the heels of Musk’s criticism of Australian government measures aimed at limiting social media use among young people, suggesting such laws may lead to governmental overreach in controlling internet access. Musk described the initiatives as a potential ‘backdoor way to control access to the internet by all Australians.’
In the wake of the backlash, Williams remarked on the aggressive responses he received after voicing his opinions about Rogan, describing it as a ‘huge pile-on’ from supporters of the podcast host. He pointed out the irony that his honest critique of Rogan garnered such intense backlash, with many labeling him as out of touch or unhinged.
The discussion also touches on Rogan’s considerable influence in the realm of American politics, particularly during the recent election cycle. Notably, Donald Trump appeared on Rogan’s podcast while campaigning, a move he made on the advice of his son, and referred to Rogan as ‘mighty and powerful’. Despite speculation about Vice-President Kamala Harris potentially joining Rogan on his show, Rogan confirmed that no such interview would take place, although Harris’s team expressed interest.
As the debate continues, it raises critical questions about the intersection of media influence, politics, and public perception in today’s digital age.
