Joe Rogan says ‘you could dig in and start arresting people’ over the Trump family’s ‘weird business deals’ as they rake in more than $1.4 billion
Podcaster Joe Rogan suggested federal investigators “could dig in and start arresting people” over the Trump family’s entrepreneurial efforts, pointing to what he described as “weird business deals” involving President Donald Trump‘s sons as the family’s fortune has grown by billions of dollars during his presidency.
Rogan made the remarks on an episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience” released on Thursday, August 13. He said the Trump admin “has done some [stuff] that no government has ever done before” and singled out cryptocurrency, saying the president “has made billions in crypto.”
Rogan then turned to Trump’s sons, saying they are involved in unusual business arrangements and that the amount of money moving through those ventures could warrant law enforcement scrutiny.
Rogan did not identify a specific agency or person he believes should investigate, nor did he cite a specific law he believes has been violated.
A presidency overlapping with a crypto fortune
Rogan’s comments come as Trump has positioned himself as a major promoter of digital assets since returning to office. Trump has backed policies aimed at making the U.S. a global cryptocurrency hub, including support for the GENIUS Act, while businesses linked to his family have expanded their presence in the industry.
Financial disclosures reviewed by Newsweek showed roughly $1.4 billion in profits tied to Trump’s crypto ventures, including his meme coin and other digital asset businesses.
The overlap between Trump’s regulatory influence over cryptocurrency and his family’s financial interests has drawn scrutiny throughout his presidency. An Associated Press analysis found that crypto ventures account for a substantial portion of the Trump Organization’s estimated $2.9 billion net worth, with digital assets making up nearly 40 percent of that total.
What the White House has said
White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly has repeatedly defended the Trump family’s financial arrangements when questioned by Newsweek.
Earlier this year, after Trump’s financial disclosures were released, Kelly said the president and his family have never engaged in conflicts of interest. She also credited Trump with helping turn the U.S. into a global center for cryptocurrency through executive action and legislative support.
Asked Thursday about Rogan’s comments, Kelly said Trump’s assets are held in discretionary accounts managed by independent third-party financial institutions. She added that all administration actions serve the interests of the American public.
The Truth Social lawsuit Joe Rogan raised
Rogan also discussed a lawsuit involving Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social.
According to The Guardian, the company began charging as much as $100,000 per month for early access to posts from Trump and other senior administration officials. A lawsuit alleges that the arrangement effectively sells privileged access to information generated through the president’s official duties.
Rogan questioned the pricing model, asking who advised Trump that the arrangement was a good idea and calling the $100,000 monthly fee for early access an extreme figure.
Trump remains Trump Media & Technology Group’s largest shareholder, and the lawsuit values his stake at approximately $1 billion.
Why Joe Rogan’s criticism stands out
Rogan previously expressed support for Trump, making his criticism notable.
Craig Agranoff, a political professor at Florida Atlantic University, told Newsweek that Rogan’s comments could resonate with younger male listeners who have historically supported Trump but might be more willing to question business arrangements that appear highly profitable for the president’s family.
Agranoff said the criticism is unlikely to fracture the broader conservative coalition, which tends to focus on other priorities. However, he said it could create friction among some online and podcast-oriented Trump supporters.
He also noted that the scale of the family’s reported crypto income is unusual by historical standards. No modern president has reported such vast income while simultaneously shaping regulations for the industry from which it is generated. Past presidents more commonly used blind trusts or stepped away from active business interests.
The meme coin controversy
Trump’s meme coin has separately faced scrutiny over whether purchasers are effectively buying access to the president’s brand and political influence.
The coin’s legal disclaimer has also drawn criticism because it includes terms barring purchasers from joining class-action lawsuits. Critics say the provision could make it more difficult to hold the company accountable.