Joe Rogan not only called the fights at UFC 314 but also welcomed a familiar figure back to cage side. As Donald Trump made his trademark entry into the arena, escorted by Secret Service agents and cheered on like a returning champion, he went right to the UFC commentator’s desk. Cameras saw the former president locking eyes with Rogan, walking up with a smile, and embracing the podcast mogul in a moment that clearly meant something to both men. In later footage published online, Rogan can be heard saying, “I’m so happy for you, sir,” a rare on-air comment that conveyed more than simply political approval.

The reunion didn’t go unnoticed by fans either. While other celebrities at the event received polite applause, Trump’s presence elicited a thundering ovation. The 45th President has made the UFC’s annual stop in Miami a tradition, and it’s no secret that he’s a longtime buddy of Dana White. But this time, it was the obvious affection between Trump and Rogan that drew the internet’s attention. The two weren’t always so friendly—Rogan had previously been publicly critical of Trump—but the tide began to turn when Trump appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience during the heated election season last year.

Since then, Rogan has actively supported Trump, backing him ahead of the 2024 race and even claiming that the POTUS understands free speech issues better than his opponents. That dynamic appeared to peak this weekend when the president bypassed others to spend time with the UFC’s most famous voice. There was no press conference or fanfare—just a handshake, a few words, an embrace, and genuine mutual respect.

Joe Rogan, for his part, resumed commentary as if nothing had happened. But the internet did notice. Within minutes, fan videos of their embrace were everywhere. And Rogan’s move was undoubtedly unpopular among supporters. They wasted no time in expressing their feelings on social media, chastising the commentator for what they perceived to be biased favoring, especially in the wake of such a controversial decision.

Fans call out the UFC commentator for his hypocrisy

The internet didn’t let it slide. Not after watching Joe Rogan, who had previously openly distanced himself from Trump, stand there with a beaming smile, as if he had just reconnected with a childhood hero. It wasn’t simply the moment; it was what the moment represented. Just days before the event, Trump heightened global tensions by imposing sweeping tariffs that disrupted the markets of several countries.

For a man like Rogan, who has spent years presenting himself as the voice of reason, the advocate for free speech, the guy who tears down the system rather than cozying up to it, this appeared to be a radical departure. Many viewers felt as if they were watching someone completely different.

And they didn’t hold back. “Rogan always pretended to be empathetic and cried when talking to people dealing with tragic stories; now he’s rooting for a guy that is just full of hatred for non-Americans,” one person wrote. The topic of betrayal kept coming up. “I hate Rogan’s hypocrisy so much,” another commented.

A user quoted Joe Rogan’s statement from a few months ago, when he said, “I am not a Trump supporter in any way, shape, or form,” revealing his hypocrisy. Many of Rogan’s long-time fans thought that his evolution was more like surrender than growth. A user wrote, “Rogan’s old fans want to think of him as a principled, intelligent guy, but that’s just not what he is.”

Some reactions struck deeper, not with anger, but with sadness. “2010-2015 JRE-listening-me is so sad right now. Times really do change fast.” It wasn’t just politics anymore; it was the loss of what the JRE host once represented. “Money doesn’t change people. It shows you who they really are,” one fan said, echoing the belief that Joe had always been this way beneath the surface.

Others turned to dark humor to cope: “He’s not still claiming he’s a centrist, does he?” one stated, while another described Joe Rogan’s smile toward Donald Trump as “like Gollum found his precious.” But what do you think? Did Joe Rogan really turn into a hypocrite? Let us know in the comments.