Joe Rogan has no regrets over the apology he issued for his past use of racial slurs but he also knows exactly what was intended when a video was released compiling numerous clips from past episodes of his podcast.
The comedian and UFC color commentator has been under fire for weeks — first due to criticism over guests and conversations he’s had regarding COVID-19 — but more recently after that video went viral that featured Rogan saying the ‘N-word’ numerous times.
In his return to Spotify this week, Rogan, who will be an analyst on the UFC 271 pay-per-view Saturday night, further addressed the controversy while admitting that the video released forced him to face some ghosts from his past.
” “All this is relief in many ways,” Rogan stated. That video was always out there. Like this is a political hit job so they’re taking all this stuff that I’ve ever said that’s wrong and smushed it all together but it’s good because it makes me address some sh*t that I really wish wasn’t out there.”
In the aftermath of that compilation video being released, Rogan decided to delete more than 70 episodes of his podcast from Spotify.
He inked a lucrative deal worth over $100 million with the streaming platform for exclusive rights to his popular podcast back in 2020 and Spotify has continued to support him amid the recent controversies.
Rogan stated that even though he was uncomfortable with the video of him using racial slurs in several instances, he still felt awkward watching it during a Texas stand-up set on Tuesday night.
Rogan stated that he used to use the word “if Richard Pryor bit” or some other context. This was first reported in The Hollywood Reporter. “Somebody made a compilation of every time I said that word over 14 years and they put it on YouTube, and it turned out that was racist as f*ck. It was racist to me, even!
“I’m me and I’m watching it saying, ‘Stop saying it!’ I put my cursor over the video and I’m like, ‘Four more minutes? !'”
While Rogan had numerous high-profile people defending him in recent days, he actually faced criticism from former President Donald Trump who said he should “stop apologizing” while being called out for past errors.
Rogan disagreed with the idea that he should never apologize for his mistakes, although he also admitted that there are times when saying “I’m sorry” can go too far.
” You should always apologize for something you have regretted,” Rogan stated. “This idea that you should never apologize. As if someone regrets something, I think it’s okay to apologize.
“But I do think you have to be very careful to not apologize for nonsense. Like you see Awkwafina? They were accusing her of being blaccent and she kinda defended it.
As part of his comedy routine, Rogan also took aim at his many conversations surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic where he’s been slammed for spreading “dangerous misinformation.”
As part of a new corporate policy, Spotify actually started labeling any podcasts featuring discussion about COVID-19 with a warning to listeners.
Rogan quickly pointed out that no one should turn to Rogan for medical advice.
” I talk sh*t for my living, that’s why it is so confusing to me,” Rogan stated. “If you’re taking vaccine advice from me, is that really my fault?
” What dumb sh*t did you do to my stupid idea? “You remember that guy who taught people to eat animals d*cks while he was on television? What does he think about medicine?
