Podcast host Joe Rogan is getting a lot of heat for something he said on an episode of his show that has recently resurfaced, and it concerns the use of a slur.
The American UFC commentator and comedian is known for his controversial opinions and guests on The Joe Rogan Experience, a podcast that boasts tens of millions of followers across social media platforms.
Rogan has had the likes of Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Alex Jones and other controversial celebrities on his show, with no stone left unturned on a wide range of topics.
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But while these episodes have received attention for different reasons, the podcaster's episode with guest Mike Baker has done the rounds almost a year from its release, with internet users disgusted at one of the claims Rogan made during their conversation.
Speaking to former CIA covert operations officer Baker, the 57-year-old claimed that the return of a slur word that was once part of playground and university chat is 'one of the greatest cultural victories' of our time.
He claimed: “We were just talking about that. The word ‘r****ded’ is back, and it’s one of the great culture victories that I think is spurred on, probably, by podcasts.”
The host had just used the word to speak about certain political commentators, but spoke about his glee at the word coming back into the mainstream.
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Rogan said the word 'comes flying out of these kids' mouths,' adding that 'they're bringing that back strong.'
He added 'that woke thing' made it into college, but that today's high school students are rejecting it, a point backed up by Baker, who said his youngest son is not a fan of 'woke culture'.
"You'll never meet a more conservative, sexist kid in your life," he claimed, as Rogan burst into laughter.
Baker explained that his son's school had students dressed as furries, with others sporting multi-coloured hair.
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The idea of 'wokeism' in the US has started to fade following the election of President Donald Trump for his second term, with some rude words and derogatory terms making their return, alongside the R-word.
While deemed politically incorrect for years now, the likes of Musk freely uses the word on X to describe others.
Not too long ago, the word was normal to use in pop culture, with bands such as the Black Eyed Peas and Green Day dropping them in some of their tunes in the 2000s.
But while some may be a fan of the word's return, many are outraged, thinking we had moved past this point in society.
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One asked: "How exactly is this a victory?"
Actor Maureen McCormick said: "Your statement that 'the ‘R’ word is back and it’s one of the great culture victories,' ignores the terrible hurt it causes to the millions of people with intellectual disabilities. This is not a victory. It is a regression."
A third added: "Ah, yes, nothing says 'culture victory' like regressing to playground insults. Truly a triumph for humanity."
Topics: Joe Rogan, Podcast, Social Media
Joshua Nair