American podcaster Joe Rogan has been described as both a political and economic influencer because of how his remarks and interviews appear to sway both voters and markets.Jasen Vinlove/Reuters
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre will appear on the influential U.S. podcast The Joe Rogan Experience, after turning down a spot during last year’s election.
Mr. Poilievre posted a photo of himself with Mr. Rogan late Wednesday afternoon, just minutes after he finished taping the interview.
“Fought for Canadian workers and Canadian interests on the world’s biggest podcast,” he said, thanking Mr. Rogan for the conversation.
“Let’s get tariff-free trade.”
In the photo, the pair are hoisting a kettlebell with a maple leaf on it.
The episode is expected to air Thursday afternoon.
Mr. Rogan has more than 20 million subscribers on YouTube alone. Though he has interviewed a wide variety of guests on his show, including Hollywood stars and left-wing U.S. politician Bernie Sanders, he’s often associated with conservative politicians in the U.S.
His support for U.S. President Donald Trump leading up to the 2024 election was touted as a major victory by the Trump campaign.
He has been critical of Mr. Trump as well, and on the subject of the chill in Canada-U.S. relations once said it was “stupid” for the U.S. to be upset with Canada.
Campbell Clark: Poilievre arrives late to the auto debate with a plan from 1965
Mr. Poilievre has been on Mr. Rogan’s radar for some time. The podcast host was among those in the U.S. who reacted approvingly to a video of Mr. Poilievre dismissively eating an apple while doing an interview in 2023.
He also endorsed Mr. Poilievre in 2024, more than a year out from the last federal election.
“I love Canadians, I just hate their government,” he said, referring to then-prime-minister Justin Trudeau.
“Pierre Poilievre ... that guy makes so much more sense. He’s so common sense, calling out all the nonsense that’s been done under this administration, which has been so sad to watch.”
Andrew Coyne: Pierre Poilievre plants the seeds of an alternative to the Carney doctrine
Mr. Poilievre has been under pressure from his supporters to appear on Mr. Rogan’s program. A revelation that he turned down an invite during last year’s election continues to be cited by grassroots Conservatives.
Mr. Rogan was the one who revealed Mr. Poilievre had turned him down.
“I offered to have that Pierre guy come on the podcast. He didn’t do it. Wouldn’t do it. Thought it was too problematic,” Mr. Rogan said last year.
Steve Outhouse, the Conservative Party’s election campaign manager, said doing the interview now made sense.
“This was a great opportunity to reach out to audiences on both sides of the border, and indeed, around the world,” he said in a memo circulated by Mr. Poilievre’s office.
Mr. Outhouse said that in the interview Mr. Poilievre “respectfully but directly” outlined the case for Canada and the U.S. to find a path forward to benefit workers.
Speculation that Mr. Poilievre would appear on the show began earlier this month, when he announced he was travelling to the U.S. to meet with business leaders and politicians to discuss trade.
Among the stops on his itinerary was Austin, Tex., where Mr. Rogan’s program is recorded.
Poilievre announces U.S. tour to talk trade, promote auto and energy sectors
The Joe Rogan Experience did not respond to inquiries from The Globe and Mail over the past several days about a possible appearance by Mr. Poilievre.
Mr. Poilievre has said in recent weeks that he has decided to speak to as many people as possible to get his message out to Canadians, and to advocate for Canada on a global stage.
His trip to the U.S. followed a trip to Europe, his first abroad as Opposition Leader. The Conservative Party paid for both.
In London, Mr. Poilievre sat with the influential British podcast TRIGGERnometry, whose hosts appeared on Mr. Rogan’s show last week as well.