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.
“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.
I can only imagine how many bots are in the replies of that one
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.
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.
former host of Fear Factor
That’s like the most respectable job he has had so far
I’ve said it before, but he was good in Fear Factor. I don’t like Rogan, but it’s like this man was born to convince aspiring actors and models to eat maggoty cheese or sort tarantulas with their mouths.
“C’mon, man. I know you want that key!!! Get in there!!! Pick up those spiders. You’ve only got seven and you need at least nine to beat Brock. The clock is counting!!!”
“Least funny member of Newsradio” might be better.
Pretty amazing that he turned Andy Dick into the second-worst person to come out of that show.
He played the dumb guy on News Radio.
Still is.
He was great in News Radio.
And it is arguably televised torture
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.
Nothing to add here, except that I also watched early Rogan. Totally agree that there was a significant shift.
Tonight, Dana White-lite discusses foreign policy and top 3 choke-holds
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Like my dad taught me, give bullies everything they want all the time so they don’t take stuff or hurt you.
Joe Rogan can eat a dick
The episode of Fear Factor he was always meant for.
Klitschko should invite Rogan into a boxing ring.
If Rogan accepts him on his show, I’ll actually gain a touch of respect for him.
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.
Yeah, especially since Rogan is supposedly a sports fan himself.
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.
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. 😆
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.
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.
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.
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Klitschko v Rogan is a celebrity fight I’d actually like to see.
Rogan was paid off by the Trump campaign which is owned by Putin. So Rogan is now Russian asset. Cool.
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.
Challenge the pipsqueak to a boxing match. If he accepts or demurs he still looks like the twerp he is
I would ppv to see this guy smash rogan’s face.
With facts and logic. And his fists.
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.
Fuck off, Russian bot
There it is. If “hold elections” sets you off, you’re backing a dictator.
Hold elections during a war? That sounds like a terrible idea.
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.
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?
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.
Sorry, when was the last fair election in Ruzzia again?
Who was it that backed the totalitarian ruler that was overthrown by the people of Ukraine?
Okay, commissar.
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?
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.
When was the last fair election in Russia? Give me a year
And what do you think about Russia’s fake elections? What do you think about what happened to Navalny?
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.
I thought they meant Vitali, but I didn’t know his brother was a boxer too.
