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Joe Rogan Defends Ilhan Omar: “The Idea That Jews Aren’t Into Money Is Ridiculous”

Podcaster and comedian Joe Rogan defended Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) from accusations of antisemitism on his show, saying that “the idea that Jews aren’t into money is ridiculous.”
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February 7, 2023
Carmen Mandato / Staff / Getty Images

Podcaster and comedian Joe Rogan defended Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) from accusations of antisemitism on his show, saying that “the idea that Jews aren’t into money is ridiculous.”

During a February 5 episode of “The Joe Rogan Show,” Rogan said that Omar’s infamous “It’s all about the Benjamins” remarks from 2019 were “just about money.” “That’s not an antisemitic statement,” Rogan argued. “The idea that Jewish people aren’t into money is ridiculous. That’s like saying Italians aren’t into pizza. It’s f—ing stupid.” 

Rogan’s guest Krystal Ball, who co-hosts the YouTube show “Breaking Points,” argued that Omar shouldn’t have apologized for the Benjamins remarks. “She could have phrased it a different way so people could have less of a freakout, but can you not talk about the influence of money in DC?” Ball said. “There’s a very obvious reason why, for my entire life, there’s been a uniparty consensus around our policy vis a vis the Israeli government and a total inability or unwillingness to criticize the Israeli government. It has everything to do with organization and, yes, money, just like every other f—ing interest in DC.” She proceeded to call Omar “one of the more courageous voices on foreign policy” and lamented “the real loss” of Omar being kicked off the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Rogan’s comments were criticized on Twitter.

“Disturbing that at a time of rising anti-Jewish violence, when growing numbers of Americans believe in antisemitic conspiracy theories, @joerogan would use his immense platform to spew antisemitic tropes about Jews and money,” Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted. “For centuries, people have used these longstanding tropes to spread vicious lies about the Jewish people. ‘Comedian’ or not, Rogan’s comments are no joke.”

“In defending Rep. Omar’s past antisemitic comments, you invoke the same tropes that have been used to persecute Jews for centuries,” American Jewish Committee CEO Ted Deutch tweeted. “With an audience of millions, it’s dangerous to be so flippant in trafficking in antisemitic stereotypes. Happy to explain on your pod.”

Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) tweeted, “It’s despicable language like this that leads to attacks and threats against Jewish people. @JoeRogan has a massive platform and it’s infuriating to watch him and @krystalball promote blatant, dangerous antisemitic tropes, including those masquerading as anti-Israel sentiments.”

Stop Antisemitism Executive Director Liora Rez said in a statement, “Joe Rogan is once again spewing antisemitic misinformation to his millions of followers, this time irresponsibly spreading an age-old trope about Jews and money, and then minimizing it by comparing it to Italians and pizza. Last time we checked, Italians weren’t the victims of genocide for their love of pizza. Guest Krystal Ball then adds insult to injury when she doubles down by defending the antisemitic comments of Rep. Ilhan Omar, stating that the Congresswoman should not have apologized, and goes on to propagate antisemitic vitriol by asserting that Israel is untouchable because of Jewish money influencing Washington D.C.” 

Rez added: “Joe Rogan can no longer be protected by free speech when his horrific rhetoric will ultimately lead to further violence against Jews. StopAntisemitism is calling on Joe Rogan and Krystal Ball to apologize for their remarks and for Spotify and The Joe Rogan Experience to invite guests on to have a conversation about antisemitism and how comments like his and his guests are not just controversial, but dangerous for the Jewish people.”

Associate Dean and Director of Social Global Action Agenda at the Simon Wiesenthal Center Rabbi Abraham Cooper said in a statement to the Journal, “How unfortunate that a person who has built his audience, reputation, and influence through the power of words chooses to be tone deaf when a member of Congress uses her position to deploy an anti-Semitic trope and Mr. Rogan gives her a wink and a nod.”

Former New York Democratic Assemblyman Dov Hikind, who heads the Americans Against Antisemitism watchdog, said in a video posted to Twitter that Rogan has “legitimized” the antisemitic trope of Jews and money spewed by the likes of Omar and Kanye West. “You have made it kosher, Joe,” Hikind said. “You’re supposed to be a good guy.” Hikind added that Rogan is “one of the most popular individuals” in the country. “Please figure out this Joe,” he said. “You’ve just made a huge, huge mistake, a dangerous mistake.”

The Journal’s request for comment through the contact section of Rogan’s website was not immediately returned.

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