Joe Rogan has officially lost his top spot in podcast rankings to The MeidasTouch Podcast, a show known for its outspoken criticism of Trump, according to new data from Podscribe.
For years, The Joe Rogan Experience has dominated the podcast charts, frequently ranking as the most-listened-to show. However, in the latest rankings, MeidasTouch surged to No. 1, amassing 56 million downloads and plays, a 101% increase from the previous month. Meanwhile, Rogan’s podcast dropped to No. 2, pulling in 48.6 million downloads, a 32% decline.
The shift is notable given that conservative and pro-Trump voices have traditionally dominated the podcast landscape. Shows hosted by Rogan, Shawn Ryan, and Ben Shapiro have consistently held top spots, and Trump himself frequently appeared on these platforms as part of his 2024 reelection campaign, bypassing traditional media outlets.
The rise of MeidasTouch—a pro-democracy media network founded by brothers Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas—suggests a potential shift in the type of content resonating with listeners. The podcast routinely criticizes Trump, with host Ben Meiselas recently stating, “The buck stops with you. Whether Trump wants to admit it or not, he needs to take responsibility for everything that is going on, and I think it is up to the people to hold him responsible.”
During his 2024 campaign, Trump strategically used podcasts to reach voters, largely due to recommendations from his youngest son, Barron Trump. In an interview with Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo, Trump said Barron “tells me about all the ‘hot’ guys, people I’ve never heard of.” This led to high-profile appearances on Adin Ross’ podcast, “Bussin With the Boys,” and the NELK Boys’ podcast.
Following Trump’s election victory, UFC President Dana White publicly thanked Rogan and other podcasters for giving Trump a platform. “I want to thank the NELK Boys, Adin Ross, Theo Von, Bussin With The Boys, and last but not least, the mighty and powerful Joe Rogan,” White said.
