Podcast host and UFC commentator Joe Rogan was called out by Dr Sanjay Gupta, a CNN doctor, after once saying “face masks are for b****es,” yet selling branded ones to his fans.
On Wednesday, Rogan invited Dr Gupta into “the lion’s den” on his latest episode of The Joe Rogan Experience to have a conversation for “more than three hours” about the Covid-19 vaccine, face masks, and much more.
Pertaining to masks, Dr Gupta noted in a CNN article published on Thursday morning that Rogan would sometimes speak against mask usage. However, The Joe Rogan Experience masks with his logo are available for purchase on his website.
“I even bought one ahead of time and gave it to him as a gift. He looked surprised. (Incidentally, they are made in China.),” Dr Gupta wrote.
He also spoke about Rogan telling him he almost getting vaccinated.
“He had an appointment scheduled but had logistical hurdles and couldn’t make it. He offered up this story as proof he is not necessarily ‘anti-vaccine,’ even if he does consistently raise issues questioning their legitimacy.”
Sign up to our new free Indy100 weekly newsletter
Although Rogan would downplay the risks associated with Covid-19 on his podcast, Dr Gupta said that his studio holds safety to high esteem as a nurse was there to perform “a rapid Covid test” prior to the chat.
“We were even checked for the presence of antibodies with a finger prick blood test,” he continued.
Throughout the interview, Rogan also questioned Dr Gupta about CNN referring to the drug Ivermectin as a “horse dewormer,” which he ended up taking after testing positive for Covid-19 and suggesting that the term was defamatory.
He claimed the drug was prescribed to him by a doctor
“They’re lying at your network about people taking human drugs versus drugs for veterinary,” Rogan said to which Dr Gupta said, “Calling it a ‘horse dewormer’ is not the most flattering thing, I get that.”
As Rogan continued to rail against CNN’s “framing” his prescription as veterinary, Dr Gupta agreed that the drug shouldn’t have been called a “horse dewormer,” but he is not sure if this was a defamatory statement.
“Yeah, they shouldn’t have done that. I don’t know if it’s defamatory,” he said.
Once social media caught wind of the discussion between Rogan and Gupta, many had mixed reactions indicating that they most likely wouldn’t have done the interview.
“I would not be unmasked in a room with him, TBH,” someone wrote.
“I wouldn’t of gone on. I love Sanjay Gupta but doing this just got Joe Rogan more attention, and now his clips are being used by all these anti Vaxers. I respect Gupta but just don’t waste your energy on someone clearly trying to more attention,” another added.
Others thought it was a great discussion between people with opposing views, with one writing, “So glad these two had a civil conversation coming from two sides we need more of this in society.”
Check out the other mixed commentary below.
Respect @drsanjaygupta We need more honest journalism. It is one of the many things that made America admired that has been lost. Let’s bring it back. @CNN @joerogan We need it to hold a democracy accountable. https://t.co/A98ux5RSro
— bpcostello (@bpcostello) October 14, 2021
The heavily slanted clips put out don’t do this interview justice. It’s a fascinating, enlightening debate between two smart well-informed people that everyone should listen to. Full credit to Sanjay for doing it - he’s a class act & this conversation will save lives. https://t.co/PnrNqEY0d7
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 14, 2021
Ultimately, it’s great that he actually accepted the invite. Gotta give him credit for not backing out. https://t.co/mlHKm7fiyZ
— Lofti Pixels (@loftipixels) October 14, 2021
You should have listened to your friends
— Michael Malice (@michaelmalice) October 14, 2021
Maybe now you appreciate why so many Americans despise you and your colleagues
to be honest rogan here is just as bad,he centres on why he is right&feels was wronged by the news media&the fact that ivermectin had no real influence on him feeling better is besides the point[sighs]everything from everybody is for their own self interest,but its not the truth
— paladinbob123 (@Paladinbob123) October 14, 2021
According to the FDA, Ivermectin can be used to “treat people with intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis, two conditions caused by parasitic worms.”
It can also help animals with worms and parasites, but the human version of the medicine is different from the animal version and shouldn’t be taken by people.