In a candid discussion on "The Weekly Show with John Stewart Podcast," Pete Buttigieg, the former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, acknowledged the Democratic Party's struggle to find a counterpart to the influential podcast host Joe Rogan.
Buttigieg emphasized the necessity for Democrats to reconnect with everyday voters to regain cultural relevance.
According to Fox News, Buttigieg's remarks came in the wake of the Democratic Party's defeat in the 2024 presidential election. He expressed skepticism about the party's ability to produce a liberal equivalent of Rogan, stating, "My partys all up in arms about whos our Joe Rogan. Were not going to have a Joe Rogan of the left. Thats not how it works."
John Stewart, the podcast's host, concurred, suggesting that such platforms cannot be artificially created. "Its also not something you can conjure in the way that they just think, Oh, lets inorganically build this thing. Those positions have been built over time, and theyve earned their credibility, and theyve earned their authenticity, and theyve earned all those things that they have. You cant just poof them into existence," Stewart remarked.
Buttigieg further critiqued his party's media strategy, pointing out, "The other big thing that my party is terribly behind on is where we say it. And by this I mean what media spaces we are in." This observation highlights a significant gap in the Democratic Party's outreach efforts, particularly in engaging with media platforms that resonate with broader audiences.
"The Joe Rogan Experience" has emerged as a formidable force in the media landscape, particularly among male listenersa demographic that played a pivotal role in President Donald Trump's 2024 victory. As reported by Bloomberg, popular podcasters and streamers have become mainstream sources of information for millions of young men, rallying support for Trump and conservative ideals. Trump's appearance on Rogan's podcast during the final weeks of his campaign attracted tens of millions of viewers, with Rogan's endorsement serving as a significant boost for the President.
Recognizing the influence of Rogan's platform, the Democratic Party attempted to secure an appearance for former Vice President Kamala Harris on his show before the election. Although this plan did not materialize, Harris did participate in other notable podcasts like "Call Her Daddy."
Despite some Democrats' aspirations to emulate Trump's success with Rogan, Buttigieg advised Stewart that the party should focus on developing its own unique strategy to attract new voters, including engaging with conservative audiences. "I think we are really struggling to find people where they are," Buttigieg admitted.
He elaborated, "I could be the tenth person to say roughly the same thing on a liberal show, or I could literally be the first time somebody heard a certain idea if Im in a more conservative space," emphasizing the importance of reaching individuals who are "not always looking for politics."
Stewart humorously interjected, "People who have other s--- to do!" to which Buttigieg agreed, underscoring the need for Democrats to broaden their outreach beyond traditional political circles.
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