Comedian and podcast host Joe Rogan says Ross Perot nailed it back in the 1992 presidential race when he warned Americans about trade deals that would gut the country's manufacturing base.
In a recent episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience” featuring comedian Ron White, Rogan revisited Perot’s famous prediction about the “giant sucking sound” of U.S. jobs heading to Mexico.
‘He was right’
“American manufacturing collapsed,” Rogan said. “And they did it all for money. And they did it all because they were greedy. They were already rich.”
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Rogan praised Perot's clear-eyed warning during a 1992 presidential debate, where the independent candidate laid out how free trade agreements and lopsided tariffs made it profitable for companies to move factories out of the U.S.
Perot had warned: “You can move your factory south of the border. Pay $1 an hour for labor. Have no health care, no environmental controls, no pollution controls, and no retirement. And you don’t care about anything but making money. There will be a giant sucking sound going off.”
He said he spoke with top trade experts and was told the U.S. economy would be disrupted for 12 to 15 years. Perot pointed out that it wouldn’t stabilize until Mexican wages rose to $6 an hour and American wages fell to the same level—but by then, the damage would be done.
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White added, “Jesus Christ, what a f***ing smart man. He would have been a great president.”
Rogan noted how Perot's candidacy changed the system: “They changed the whole way debates work after this… because Ross Perot tanked it. They thought H.W. was going to go for a second term… and Ross Perot f***ed it up.”
Tax frustration and trade with Canada
The two comedians also joked about how confusing the current economy feels, calling the stock market “baffling” and wondering what kind of strategy—if any—is behind global economic decisions.
They touched on U.S.-Canada trade as well, with White cracking, “Have you ever met a Canadian that had $35 in his pocket? No. They’re all broke. They have $22.”
Rogan added, “Well, they have socialized medicine, but it’s a capitalist society.”
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When they looked up actual tax rates, they were surprised to see the top U.S. federal income tax rate is 37%, while Canada's is 33%. But as Rogan pointed out, Canadians often face higher total tax rates once provincial taxes are factored in.
Still, Rogan said his main frustration is not the tax rate itself but what the government does with the money: “You’re being strong-armed into giving money to people that do a really shitty job of protecting your money and investing it in the country.”
Trump, golf, and confusion about the economy
Rogan also took a jab at President Donald Trump. “Trump’s playing golf, and in between swings, he’s on the phone with presidents of countries. ‘We’re going to need more money!'” Rogan said.
White chimed in, “Is he playing checkers? Is he playing chess? He’s playing golf!” Rogan echoed, “He’s playing golf. Like, what does that mean? Everybody wants to think there’s some, like, grand plan to it.”
They both seemed skeptical that there was any coherent strategy behind current economic policies, suggesting that people often read too much into political theatrics.
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