Joe Rogan’s recent spat involving Jews and money has reinforced “dangerous” anti-Semitic tropes, according to leaders of prominent Jewish groups.
Rogan said on his wildly popular podcast on February 4 that “the idea that Jews don’t like money is ridiculous. It’s like saying Italians don’t like pizza.” (Watch the video below.)
The statement drew widespread condemnation when it went viral this week.
“[Y]invokes the same tropes that have been used to persecute Jews for centuries. With an audience of millions, it is dangerous to be so bold in spreading anti-Semitic stereotypes.” he posted on Twitter American Jewish Committee CEO Ted Deutch, a former Democratic congressman.
Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt also attacked Rogan.
“It is ominous that in a time of rising anti-Jewish violence, when increasing numbers of Americans believe in anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, @joerogan would use his massive platform to spew anti-Semitic tropes about Jews and money,” Greenblatt. he wrote on Twitter.
“For centuries, people have used these ancient tropes to spread vicious lies about the Jewish people. ‘Comedy’ or not, Rogan’s comments are no joke.” He added.
Rogan, who has spread misinformation about COVID-19 in particular, made the comment on his popular Spotify show, “The Joe Rogan Experience,” during an exchange with fellow podcaster Krystal Ball about an old controversy involving Rep. Ilhan Omar (D- Minn.).
Omar suggested on Twitter in 2019 that politicians’ support for Israel was motivated by money. “This is about Benjamins baby,” Omar wrote. Critics interpreted his comment as trashing the trope that Jews control politics through money. She later apologized. (The GOP recently expelled Omar from the Foreign Affairs Committee, citing his past comments about Israel.)
“Talk about money,” Rogan said earlier this month. “This is not an anti-Semitic statement, I don’t think it is. Benjamins are money. The idea that Jews don’t like money is ridiculous. That’s like saying Italians don’t like pizza. It’s damn stupid. Rogan laughed when Ball agreed that Omar shouldn’t have apologized.
Representative. Josh Gottheimer (DN.J.) called Rogan and Ball for comment.
“It is vile language like this that leads to attacks and threats against the Jewish people,” he said he wrote on Twitter. “@JoeRogan has a huge platform and it’s infuriating to see him and @krystalball promote overt and dangerous anti-Semitic tropes, including those masquerading as anti-Israel sentiment.”
The comments are the latest in a troubling string of public figures promoting anti-Semitism. In recent months, rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, has made some disparaging remarks about Jews; NBA star Kyrie Irving promoted a movie with false and anti-Semitic claims; and former President Donald Trump hosted prominent white supremacist Nick Fuentes for dinner.
