By Dane McGuire
Just days before Joe Rogan returns to UFC broadcasts for the year, his father, Rogan Sr., has spoken to The New York post against his son’s alleged defense of an anti-semitic remark.
The two are estranged as multiple outlets report they haven’t spoken in seven years.The broadcast has previously said his father was abusive. Senior has denied the allegations.
“My mom and my stepdad are actually very happy, and they’ve been happy since I was seven years old. It’s real weird. All my damage sh-t came from my real father before I was seven,” Rogan told Ari Shaffir during an episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience.”
“My real father was crazy, he was like a psychotic person. He beat the f-k out of my mother, he beat the f-k out of my cousin. He picked my cousin up by his hair, dude.”
On The Joe Rogan Experience podcast , “he defended Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar’s 2019 comment about Israel, widely viewed as antisemitic. Omar suggested U.S. politicians are being bribed to support Israel, leading to a bipartisan resolution condemning antisemitism,” the NYP article says.
“That’s not an antisemitic statement, I don’t think that is,” Rogan said. “The idea that Jewish people are not into money is ridiculous. That’s like saying Italians aren’t into pizza. It’s fucking stupid.”
As a result, the comments cost Omar her role with the House Foreign Affairs Committee by House Republicans on Feb. 2 In response, Rogan Sr has said money from his son’s podcast deal with Spotify has changed him.
Multiple outlets reported Spotify and Rogan agreed to a three and a half year exclusive deal worth approximately $200 million in 2020.
“Who are you to judge people? Who made you God last night?” Rogan Sr. said, “I’m not prejudiced. Everybody has got to live and I teach my kids that. This bothers me. The money went to his head and his head got bigger than his hat — he fools people.”
NYP also reported some at Spotify are upset with the comments but multiple sources say the episode is not in breach of guidelines and has not been pulled as of this writing. Rogan has not responded to his father’s comments at this time.
A UFC official confirmed to MMA Fighting Monday Rogan returns to color commentary at the upcoming UFC 285 pay-per-view. At this point in his career, Rogan works pay-per-views only on a limited basis.
I’m good with 10 a year. That’s what I like. I like 10 a year. 10 a year is what I like. Once a month, two months off,” Rogan said in 2019.