Summary

Former Ukrainian boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko accused podcaster Joe Rogan of “repeating Russian propaganda” after Rogan criticized U.S. military aid to Ukraine and suggested it could escalate into World War III.

Klitschko defended Ukraine’s resistance against Russia, highlighting the country’s fight for freedom and condemning Rogan’s remarks as aiding Putin’s agenda.

He invited Rogan to discuss their differences on the podcast “like free men.”

Rogan, who recently endorsed Donald Trump, called the war a “proxy war” and criticized Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine to strike Russian soil with U.S.-supplied missiles.

  • Optional
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    954 months ago

    “I listen to your latest podcast,” said Klitschko, whose brother Vitali Klitschko was also a world champion boxer and is now mayor of Kyiv.

    “I’m sending you this video to let you know that I disagree. You talk about these American weapons being sent to Ukraine, which you believe will lead to the third world war. So let me tell you that you’re repeating Russian propaganda.”

    . . . Rogan said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was “100% wrong” but remarked of the Ukrainian president: “[Volodymyr] Zelenskyy says Putin is terrified. Fuck you, man. You fucking people are about to start world war three.”

    He added: “The whole thing is a proxy war … it is fucking insane.”

    Putin has long claimed US assistance for Ukraine is part of a proxy war aimed at weakening Russia.

    “Putin’s Russia is in trouble, so they want to scare you and people like you,” Klitschko said in his message to Rogan. “His war was supposed to last three days. It has lasted three years thanks to the heroism and sacrifice of us Ukrainians. So you’re using the only weapon that Putin really intends to use, propaganda, and this weapon really weakens our democracies.

    “Putin’s Russia wants to destroy Ukraine quietly. They want America to stay quiet. Not great, but quiet. A great America is not an America that abandons countries that defend freedom with their lives.

    “In short, you see, I have quite a few points of difference. If you invite me on your podcast, we could discuss them like free men.”

    Brilliant. But someone get him a fediverse account please. It’s crazy this is on Xitter.

    • nolannice
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      214 months ago

      I can only imagine how many bots are in the replies of that one

    • @captainlezbian@lemmy.world
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      84 months ago

      I hate America being world police but we are supposed to ally with democracy. That’s the whole reason we didn’t defend the government of France against the people of France.

  • circuitfarmer
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    784 months ago

    I have recently been trying to enlighten my Joe Rogan loving relative as to his (what I would consider, clear) political leanings and tendency to spew propaganda. “I’m just asking questions” is one of the most powerful propaganda tactics, since it can be used to relatively quickly normalize any topic.

    As one might expect, the conversations haven’t gone well. People who listen to Joe Rogan tend to think they are well informed by virtue of listening to Joe Rogan.

    I think collectively we need to start referring to him only as “the former host of Fear Factor” to really drive home exactly who it is these people are idolizing.

    • RubberDuck
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      234 months ago

      I watched a lot of early Rogan… And even though he was an idiot, there were so many wonderful conversations with interesting people.

      Then came the likes of Jocko Willink, and slowly you saw more right wing people creep into his orbit. The early Peterson was even fun to listen to and said some good stuff… but the conversation became more political, more right wing and in my opinion less interesting… Just regurgitation of right wing talking points. Once Rogan was in talks with Spotify… there was nothing interesting left. Rogan probably got info from Spotify on demographics, targeting, subjects that do best and decided a 100 million was enough to sell gis soul. Then by constantly being in the same room with the ghouls and smelling their farts… they managed to convince him the farts smelled nice.

      • circuitfarmer
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        94 months ago

        Nothing to add here, except that I also watched early Rogan. Totally agree that there was a significant shift.

  • @blazeknave@lemmy.world
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    594 months ago

    Like my dad taught me, give bullies everything they want all the time so they don’t take stuff or hurt you.

    • @takeda@lemmy.world
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      564 months ago

      In my eyes it is the opposite.

      Klitschko is a heavy weight world champion, Rogan should be excited to have him.

      If he ignores it, it will be a clear signal that he isn’t independent as he claims to be, but also gets paid to spread Russian propaganda.

      I don’t see how one would reject such guest unless the goal is spreading disinformation.

      • NoiseColor
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        144 months ago

        He is not paid by the Russian propaganda. He is honest in his beliefs.

        He is a prime example of a person that is not a bad person per se, but just too dumb to understand the complexities and chaotic nature of the world. So they invent shortcuts in their brain, the same kind right wing demagogues are pushing. It is inevitable that he becomes a right wing propagandist.

        • @aStonedSanta@lemm.ee
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          54 months ago

          I think this is my take also. I don’t think he’s purposely malicious or has any idea of the impact he has. I think he just shows up and does his job and smiles. 😆

          • @Pips@lemmy.sdf.org
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            34 months ago

            There is no world in which he doesn’t know his impact. He’s got a number one podcast in terms of listenership. He’s an idiot but there’s no way he’s that far gone.

        • @Doomsider@lemmy.world
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          24 months ago

          What makes you so sure he is not involved directly with Russian propaganda?

          He could be compromised which is something Russia is known for.

          Just because he has hundreds of millions doesn’t mean he doesn’t want billions either. This is a high stakes game like never before.

  • MrSpArkle
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    274 months ago

    Bless this guys heart, but after the Dibble affair it is clear there is no point debating insane positions in front of an insane audience.

  • LustyArgonian
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    134 months ago

    Rogan was paid off by the Trump campaign which is owned by Putin. So Rogan is now Russian asset. Cool.

  • @urno@lemmy.world
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    74 months ago

    I’m interested to see how JR responds. I heard the “Kamala was a chicken” line pre-election because she avoided him, for whatever reason. Now the tables have been turned! It’s a win-win for me because either I can sing out “Rogan is a chicken” or he actually has a discussion with Klitschko and many will have their positions challenged.

  • @Sam_Bass@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    Challenge the pipsqueak to a boxing match. If he accepts or demurs he still looks like the twerp he is

  • masterofn001
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    44 months ago

    I would ppv to see this guy smash rogan’s face.

    With facts and logic. And his fists.

  • @surph_ninja@lemmy.world
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    24 months ago

    Yeah, saying the truth about Ukraine is the fastest way to get someone to call you a Russian bot. Even suggesting Zelenskyy should hold elections or allow opposition parties/media will piss off nafo stans.

          • @surph_ninja@lemmy.world
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            14 months ago

            So just hold onto power indefinitely by never ending the war. Netanyahu and Zelenskyy using the same playbook.

            It’s actually a fine idea, and the only way for a truly democratic country to allow the citizens to choose themselves whether or not the war should continue.

            • @Pilferjinx@lemmy.world
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              4 months ago

              It’s not the same. What are you talking about. Ukraine is the one being invaded. How do you get Ukrainian citizens currently being occupied ballots?

              • @surph_ninja@lemmy.world
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                14 months ago

                Considering the last fair Ukrainian election leaned friendly towards Russia, before the US staged a coup with the far-right, I’d be willing to bet Russia would allow neurtral election monitors in.

            • @zalgotext@sh.itjust.works
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              64 months ago

              the only way for a truly democratic country to allow the citizens to choose themselves whether or not the war should continue.

              So you’re saying that if the Ukrainian citizenry simply votes to stop the war, Russia will stop shelling their homes?

              • @surph_ninja@lemmy.world
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                14 months ago

                Considering the last fair election leaned pro-Russia, it’s more likely Zelenskyy’s far right regime would kill the ethnic Russian Ukrainians in retaliation, as they did for 8 years prior to the invasion.

    • LustyArgonian
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      4 months ago

      And what do you think about Russia’s fake elections? What do you think about what happened to Navalny?

      • @surph_ninja@lemmy.world
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        14 months ago

        I think they’re a fascist oligarchy.

        I’m gonna blow your mind here: you don’t have to support Russia to oppose the Nazi puppet government in Ukraine.

  • @cygnus@lemmy.ca
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    4 months ago

    I thought they meant Vitali, but I didn’t know his brother was a boxer too.