Joe Rogan and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) don't usually end up in the same political conversation, let alone agreeing, at least not lately. But on a recent episode of the “Joe Rogan Experience,” the podcast host found common ground with the longtime progressive senator on a key issue: the growing power of ultra-wealthy tech leaders.
“Bernie Sanders is right in that you should be scared of oligarchs,” Rogan said. “Oligarchs shouldn't be running our government.”
Don't Miss:
- ‘Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. You can invest today for just $0.26/share with a $1000 minimum.
- Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — invest pre-IPO from $0.60 per share now.
Rogan and Dillon Discuss Tech Power and Control
Rogan made the comment during a conversation with comedian Tim Dillon, as the two discussed U.S. export controls on Nvidia NVDA chips and China's ability to bypass them. They talked about how fake companies in places like Bhutan and Singapore are buying the restricted chips and funneling them back to China.
“They're both innovating and stealing at the same time,” Rogan said. Dillon added, “Can there be anything done to stop their rise?” Rogan responded, “Nah, not at this point.”
The two also raised concerns about the future of AI and the influence of big tech leaders. Ironically, Rogan is friends with one of the most powerful—and many would say most disruptive—people in the world right now: Elon Musk.
Rogan recalled a story from venture capitalist Marc Andreessen about a moment when the government tried to shut down early AI efforts entirely.
“The government came in and said we’re not going to let you do this,” Rogan said. “Not only are we not going to let you do this, we’re not going to let anybody do this.”
Trending: BlackRock is calling 2025 the year of alternative assets. One firm from NYC has quietly built a group of 60,000+ investors who have all joined in on an alt asset class previously exclusive to billionaires like Bezos and Gates.
Sanders Warns Against Billionaire Power Grab
The conversation echoed Sanders’ recent warnings in which he blasted President Donald Trump's proposed budget and economic policies. Sanders said Republican tax proposals would deliver massive breaks to billionaires while gutting programs for working families.
“At a time of unprecedented income and wealth inequality, when so many of our people are struggling to put food on the table, we must not savage programs for working families to provide huge tax breaks for billionaires,” Sanders said.
He also criticized Trump’s call for a federal funding freeze, which was later overturned in court, arguing it could have harmed Medicaid, food assistance, and support for homeless veterans. Sanders has pushed for raising the federal minimum wage to at least $17 per hour and investing in affordable housing.
Trending: Mark Cuban Backs This Innovative Startup That Turns Videos into Games — Claim Your Share Now
Shared Worries About the Future
Both Rogan and Sanders seem to agree, at least on paper, that unchecked power—whether it’s from the government or Silicon Valley—poses a threat. Rogan warned that a single tech leader could gain enough influence to reshape society entirely.
“If someone had control of some tech company, let’s say it’s an AI company… and he’s worth $3 trillion now and decides to lobby and change a bunch of laws and influence politicians and his company starts donating to certain politicians,” Rogan said. “You could change the fabric of society with enough money and enough power.”
However, Rogan didn’t reflect on the fact that this is almost verbatim what Musk has done, from influencing public discourse on X to securing massive government contracts through his companies.
Musk also donated $270 million to support Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, making him the largest individual donor of that election cycle—a move Sanders has strongly condemned as yet another example of oligarchic influence on American politics.
See Also: Are you rich? Here’s what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy.
Social Media Weighs In
While Rogan’s comments resonated with some, others pointed out the contradictions in his stance.
“Yet Rogan simps for said oligarchs on a daily basis lol,” one user commented on X.
Another said, “Would someone tell him that he’s defining his deity Elon Musk?”
One person noted the irony: “I wonder if he gets the irony about Elon Musk running our government for 3 months. Or his steps to manifest that.”
Another added, “Well, Rogan’s been having a lot of oligarchs as of late: [Meta CEO Mark] Zuckerberg, Andreessen, etc., etc., so what is he complaining of.”
Read Next:
- Inspired by Uber and Airbnb – Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets – with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share!
- The secret weapon in billionaire investor portfolios that you almost certainly don't own yet. See which asset class has outpaced the S&P 500 (1995-2024) – and with near-zero correlation.
Image: Shutterstock
Edge Rankings
Price Trend
© 2025 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Trade confidently with insights and alerts from analyst ratings, free reports and breaking news that affects the stocks you care about.
