Joe Rogan Reacts to Trump, Musk Social Media Brawl: 'Take His Phone Away'

Newsweek

a day ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Podcast host Joe Rogan was alerted to the social media feud between President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk in real-time while recording with Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel on Thursday, calling for someone to take Musk's phone away.
Why It Matters
Musk took a swipe at the Trump-backed spending bill this week, the bill the president has named the "big, beautiful bill." The quarrel exploded Thursday, leading to a public back and forth on X, formerly Twitter.
Musk accused Trump of being "in the Epstein files" and said his tariff plan would send the United States into a recession this year and even questioned if there should be a new political party. Trump hit back, saying that Musk was "wearing thin" and that he asked him to leave the White House.
Trump tasked Musk with heading up the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during the first few months into his second term. Musk was hit with massive backlash in praise in response to his cutting of waste, fraud and abuse from the federal government.
What To Know
In the Thursday recording that went live on Friday, Patel and Rogan were speaking and were then flagged about the feud unfolding in real-time.
"Since we were talking about fake news, this is going to come up because it's been going on since we've been recording here...Elon and Trump seem to be in a bit of a spat," a person out of screen said in part.
Rogan then read Musk's tweet about the Epstein files accusation, saying, "Jesus Christ."
"I'm not participating in any of that conversation between Elon and Trump," Patel quickly interjected.
Musk's post on Thursday read, "Time to drop the really big bomb: @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public. Have a nice day, DJT!"
Musk followed up, saying, "Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out."
"Someone should take his phone away," Rogan said, still reacting to Musk's post.
"Jesus Christ, that's a crazy thing to say. How does he know? Does he know that Donald Trump is in the Epstein files? Does he have access to the Epstein files," Rogan asked Patel.
"I don't know how he would, but I'm just staying out of the Trump, Elon thing," Patel said, adding, "I know my lane, and that ain't it."
Rogan went on to add that he believes continuously posting on social media is bad for someone's mental health. The conversation then pivoted to the FBI responding to "bots" on social media.
Joe Rogan can be seen during an interview with FBI Director Kash Patel in a recording that went live June 6, 2025. (Joe Rogan Experience)
Joe Rogan can be seen during an interview with FBI Director Kash Patel in a recording that went live June 6, 2025. (Joe Rogan Experience)
What People Are Saying
Trump on Truth Social on Thursday: "I don't mind Elon turning against me, but he should have done so months ago. This is one of the Greatest Bills ever presented to Congress. It's a Record Cut in Expenses, $1.6 Trillion Dollars, and the Biggest Tax Cut ever given. If this Bill doesn't pass, there will be a 68% Tax Increase, and things far worse than that. I didn't create this mess, I'm just here to FIX IT. This puts our Country on a Path of Greatness. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont on Friday: "Trump's right: The easiest way to save money is to eliminate the 'Billions and Billions' in corporate welfare Elon Musk has received.
Musk's right: Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' is a 'disgusting abomination' that must be defeated. Let's do both. It'll be a win-win for America!
Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, to Fox News' Sean Hannity on Thursday, in part: "Look, I think it's incredibly unfortunate. You and I are both good friends with President Trump and we're both good friends with Elon Musk. They're both extraordinary men, and they've both done extraordinary things for our country.
"Elon is an incredible inventor and business leader. His buying Twitter was massively important, his leadership of DOGE for President Trump was massively important. President Trump is doing phenomenal work every single day. His victory pulled this country back from the abyss. I'll tell you Sean, I was in the Oval Office with the president when this back-and-forth began, and it's really unfortunate. They are both, I think, American heroes. They are both incredibly strong leaders. And listen, it's obvious they are both pissed off right now," Cruz said.
What Happens Next
It is immediately unclear if Trump and Musk will make up as tensions overflowed this week. Meanwhile, the president has given Senate Republicans a firm deadline to pass the spending bill and get it to his desk by July 4th.