Former President Donald Trump is set to embark on a podcast experience that could end up being the biggest in history. Today, October 25, Trump will join podcaster Joe Rogan on his show in what is expected to be – as is typical for the show – a multi-hour conversation on a range of topics, some political, others not. And while this appears to be a good campaign move for Trump – after all, the Joe Rogan Experience is the most-watched podcast of all time – it also suggests that the man in question is looking to make the most of what will ultimately be his last time on the campaign trail.
Trump Unleashed?
Whether he wins or loses this November, Donald Trump will almost certainly never run for office again. He may end up appearing in other people’s campaigns, but for him, this part of his life ends on November 4. So what has he got to lose?
Well, some might argue that indulging in one’s fancies, such as working a shift in McDonald’s or chatting with comedians, could mean that time better spent at rallies is wasted and that he ends up losing the election. And this may be true. However, Trump seems to have understood something about Kamala Harris’ campaign that she and her team do not: It is not enough to talk about “joy” if you do not demonstrate it.
When VP Harris turned out for the DNC back in August, the keyword that was repeated throughout her surrogates and supporters in the legacy media was “joy.” But reality soon hit the campaign like a ton of bricks, and the rhetoric shifted back to “threats to Democracy” and the inevitable cries of proto-fascism. This does not fit the definition of joyful. But it was a good message. After several years of economic and immigration crises, perhaps extolling the virtues of being a “joyful warrior” would resonate with the voting public. Donald Trump certainly seems to think so.
The Joe Rogan Experience
For those unfamiliar with Mr. Rogan’s podcast, it is the epitome of long-form conversation. Whether Rogan is speaking with martial artists, archaeologists, comedians, scientists, conspiracy theorists, or notable celebrities, each episode can last up to three hours. But it is never just an interview.
What makes the Rogan show so successful is that it is (more often than not) a freewheeling chat that goes wherever the subject matter leads. This is very much an arena built for someone with Trump’s tendency toward the expansive. Not so for Kamala Harris.
Kamala Harris (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Reports suggest that the VP was also in discussion with the podcast to make an appearance, and most pundits agree that it would have been a political disaster if it had come to fruition. Ms. Harris is well-known for her “word salad” answers that lead nowhere and leave the audience wondering what question was first asked.
Indeed, even during a Harris-friendly CNN townhall hosted by Anderson Cooper, the Democratic contender ran into verbal trouble when she first mocked Donald Trump for trying to build a wall and then, within moments, had to admit she has been pushing a bill to build a wall. It was the safest of safe harbors, and she still managed to run aground.
Conversely, Trump is well-known for what he terms “the weave," a way of discussing one topic, moving to another, and then returning to the original point. Despite left-leaning media reports, Joe Rogan is not of the political right. In fact, many of his views align with traditional Democratic stances and a more liberal mindset. He is, however, a keen interviewer who is sharp at follow-up questions.
A Dukakis Moment?
It is not just the interview circuit that Trump seems to be embracing. He recently did a short stint at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s. Naturally, this was a campaign stunt. He obviously doesn’t punch in with a time card or rely on that for his income. Yet, despite the fact that this was clearly a stunt, the legacy media was practically apoplectic. The former president donned an apron and served screened customers. And by all accounts, he had the time of his life.
In the following hours, Harris surrogates took to the internet to declare “race over” and “Trump’s Dukakis moment,” trying to tie the photos and footage to former Democratic presidential candidate Michael Dukakis wearing an oversized helmet while sitting in a tank. For Dukakis, it was an embarrassment that saw George H.W. Bush win a landslide victory. For Trump, however, it played into his long history of not taking himself too seriously.
Remember, this is a man who appeared on skit shows through the decades, often mocking himself. Instead of trying to play the role of a serious statesman, Trump embraced the part and had fun with the staff and the customers, delivering quips and one-liners that dominated social media for days after.
Embrace the Strange
Donald Trump will either win or lose the next election. But he will forever be able to revel in the heady days of crisscrossing the country, speaking to crowds in the thousands who adore his brand of wit and politics. His Joe Rogan session may not sway the voters to his cause, and his unique style of campaign could become a cautionary lesson for future candidates. But he will, without doubt, be able to invoke the famous lyrics of Frank Sinatra and definitively say he did it his way.
