'Total moron': Joe Rogan ripped over bizarre explanation after falling for fake 'subpar AI slop'

Podcast host Joe Rogan recently acknowledged that he fell for a deepfake video of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), but instead of offering a straightforward apology, he defended himself by saying, “I believe that he’s capable of doing something that dumb.” Rogan's strange justification has triggered a wave of criticism online, with users accusing him of avoiding accountability and opting for a bizarre philosophical excuse.

During "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast last week, Rogan and his guest discussed a viral video that falsely depicts Walz, the former Democratic vice-presidential nominee, dancing and singing on an escalator while wearing an anti-Trump T-shirt.

This video was identified as a deepfake by fact‑checking sources like AFP, which confirmed that Walz’s face had been superimposed onto another person’s body from a TikTok video posted in early August.

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During the podcast, someone in the studio, identified as Jamie, tells Rogan that it is an AI‑generated clip. Upon realizing his mistake, Rogan confessed that he fell for it, but offered an odd explanation. “You know why I fell for it? Because I know he's capable of doing something that's dumb."

A clip from the podcast showing Rogen admitting his mistake has gone viral on social media, sparking widespread commentary.

Semafor political reporter David Weigel wrote on the social platform X: "Every time! 'Do you know why I fell for it? Because I believe he's capable of doing something that dumb.'"

Sam Deutsch wrote: "It really fascinates me how the most popular podcaster in the country is, to put it bluntly, a total moron."

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Influencer Pekka Kallioniemi wrote: "Rogan, like much of his audience, has become part of the Gen X/boomer crowd that falls for subpar AI slop. Joe’s only going to radicalize his fanbase further with his ignorance."

Writer Joel D. Anderson said: "This is incredible. That video looked like some low-grade slop made with a Canva knockoff. If you fall for it, they should revoke your driver’s license."

YouTuber David Doel wrote: "Someone should put together a supercut of all his dumbest moments but it would be a years-long undertaking."

TV host Brandon Pope wrote: "It’s not so much that he fell for it. It’s that Rogan was willing to believe the first negative thing he saw about a person he didn’t like. Kind of speaks to our social media and news literacy crisis at the moment."

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