Podcaster Joe Rogan is facing renewed criticism after making hostile remarks about transgender people during a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience. The comments, made during a conversation with guest Stephen “Steve-O” Glover, included Rogan describing some transgender people as “f**king perverts” and falsely claiming that transgender individuals are responsible for most school shootings.
The exchange began when Steve-O recounted meeting a transgender person who described experiencing discrimination, including difficulty using workplace restrooms. According to reporting on the episode, Rogan repeatedly interrupted and dismissed those concerns, insisting such discrimination does not occur and arguing that trans people are only restricted from bathrooms that do not match their “biological sex.”
Rogan then escalated the discussion by invoking the controversial and widely criticized concept of “autogynephilia,” suggesting that some transgender women are motivated by sexual fetish rather than identity. He also claimed that transgender people were responsible for the majority of school shootings, a statement critics say has no factual basis.
Researchers and journalists have repeatedly documented how misinformation about violence by transgender people spreads online. Studies show that such claims are often exaggerated or fabricated and that several violent incidents have been incorrectly blamed on transgender individuals despite a lack of evidence.
Advocates say Rogan’s comments are particularly concerning because of the enormous reach of his platform. The Joe Rogan Experience is one of the most widely listened-to podcasts in the world, giving his opinions significant influence over public discourse. Critics argue that rhetoric portraying transgender people as dangerous or deviant reinforces stigma and fuels hostility at a time when transgender rights are already under political attack in many states.
During the episode, Steve-O attempted to push back by noting that the transgender person he met did not seem like the type of individual Rogan was describing. However, Rogan continued to argue that transgender identity should be defined strictly by chromosomes and dismissed broader discussions about discrimination.
The remarks quickly sparked backlash online, with LGBTQ advocates accusing Rogan of promoting harmful stereotypes and spreading misinformation about both transgender people and gun violence.
For many critics, the controversy highlights a larger issue: when influential media figures repeat unsupported claims about marginalized groups, those narratives can shape public perception and deepen existing prejudice.
