Rogan, Tariffs, and Truth Bombs

Dear Reader,

Donald Trump and I have been friends for a while, so when he appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast, I had to watch. Here’s what you need to know – boiled down and shot through with some hard truths.

Trump didn’t pull punches. He laid out his journey from media darling to political pariah, breaking down the challenges, conspiracies, and triumphs. He talked about his 2024 run, the power of tariffs, and, yes, the deep flaws he sees in America’s political system. I’ll break down his points here, so you don’t have to sit through it. Trust me, it's what you need to know, straight and simple.

The Breakdown: 10 Unfiltered Insights from Trump’s Rogan Chat

1. Trump’s “Two Worlds” – Loved by Media, Hated by the Machine

Trump wasn’t always the “villain” of the American political scene. He talks about his time on shows like The View and Oprah, where he was embraced by celebrities and viewers alike. But once he launched his bid for president, the media took a sharp turn. Trump believes this shift was no accident, but part of a coordinated attack from a political “machine” desperate to keep him out of power. Now, he’s on a mission to set the record straight, whether or not the media likes it.

2. The Apprentice vs. The Presidency

Leaving his top-rated show The Apprentice behind wasn’t easy. NBC executives and the show’s producer, Mark Burnett, even offered him extended contracts to stay, emphasizing that “nobody leaves prime time.” But Trump saw the presidency as the ultimate role, the one “deal” worth leaving it all for. So he took the leap and quickly learned the stakes were far higher and the criticisms far sharper than anything he’d encountered in business.

3. White House Reality Check

Trump’s move into the White House was, as he puts it, “surreal.” His first walk through the halls was a patriotic high. But he says the job got real—and brutal—fast. Despite holding the highest office, he was often isolated, navigating betrayal, relentless media scrutiny, and opposition at every level. This wasn’t just the typical political challenge; he calls it outright survival, with political knives out from the start.

4. Enemy Within – The Real Battle

For Trump, the biggest threat to America isn’t just Russia, China, or any foreign power. It’s the “enemy within”—unelected bureaucrats, deep state players, and certain members of his own administration. He claims these insiders undermined him from day one, shaping policies and strategies without his consent. Their influence, he says, is a larger danger to American values than any external adversary.

5. Media’s Double Standard

Trump has his fair share of gripes with mainstream media, calling it a propaganda machine that takes his words out of context and spins against him relentlessly. He holds up independent platforms like Rogan’s podcast as essential to getting his message out without media interference. In his view, the future of free speech and honest reporting lies in bypassing traditional outlets and embracing new media platforms.

6. Tariffs Over Taxes

Trump’s stance on trade policy is straightforward: “Tariffs are the most beautiful word in the dictionary.” He sees tariffs as America’s ticket to independence from foreign influence, especially from China. He suggests slashing corporate tax rates for companies that manufacture in the U.S., while slapping tariffs on imported goods. His endgame? A tax system that rewards American-made and penalizes companies that offshore.

7. Weaponized Politics: Impeachments and Investigations

Trump says he’s faced more legal attacks than any other president in history, calling the endless investigations “third-world politics.” He argues that using the justice system against political opponents is a threat to democracy. For him, these tactics go beyond politics; they represent a full-scale assault on anyone who dares to challenge the status quo.

8. The 2020 Election: “The Most Rigged Ever”

Trump holds firm that the 2020 election was rife with interference and irregularities, from censorship to alleged ballot manipulation. He singles out the actions of “51 Intelligence Agents” who signed a letter dismissing Hunter Biden’s laptop as “Russian disinformation.” According to Trump, this moment turned the election against him, with many voters unaware of the laptop’s contents or implications. He sees this as part of a larger pattern where elites manipulate information to maintain power.

9. RFK Jr. in the Mix

Trump has high praise for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who he sees as a powerful ally against Big Pharma and government overreach. Trump is excited about partnering with Kennedy on health issues but is clear that he’ll rein in RFK Jr.’s environmental policies to keep America’s “liquid gold” flowing. He wants Kennedy on his team, but only if he can prioritize economic growth alongside public health.

10. 2024: America’s Last Shot?

Trump is doubling down on his “America First” message for 2024. He’s targeting Big Tech censorship, Chinese manufacturing, and Washington corruption with renewed determination. He believes this election isn’t just about another term; it’s about taking a final stand to restore American values and independence. He’s asking voters to think big and bold, casting this election as America’s last chance to steer back onto the right path.

Robert Kiyosaki