Joe Rogan is criticizing what he called “crazy” new plaques that were recently installed on President Donald Trump’s Presidential Walk of Fame.
Placed beneath the portraits of various presidents on the well-known walkway, the plaques take sharp aim at Trump’s Democratic predecessors while repeatedly praising Trump himself.
Why It Matters
Rogan—who hosts one of the country’s most popular podcasts—endorsed Trump in the 2024 election and later attended his inauguration. He’s also been associated with a wave of male-led podcasts that have been credited with helping Trump build support, especially among younger men.
Even so, Rogan has regularly criticized Trump and his administration. Over the past year, he has taken aim at Trump’s immigration policy and the administration’s handling of the Epstein files.
Since returning to office, Trump has pushed a series of high-profile efforts to reshape the White House in a more personal style—adding gold accents to the Oval Office, converting the Rose Garden into a stone-covered patio, and demolishing the East Wing to make way for a large ballroom.
The new plaques have drawn controversy since they were installed, and critics say they reflect a broader departure from the customary restraint presidents often show toward predecessors.
What To Know
Rogan discussed the plaques during an episode of his podcast with comedian Shane Gillis.
Rogan repeatedly described the plaques as “crazy,” arguing that historians—not a sitting president—should be responsible for wording like that.
He said someone “needs to tell him like, ‘Hey, this is not good. You can’t do that, because other people could do that too, and then the White House stops being the White House,’” warning that it risks turning the presidency into a revolving stage for personal vendettas. In his view, it becomes less a public institution and more “whoever is in its house,” free to brand everyone else as corrupt.
Gillis suggested future presidents wouldn’t copy the approach, adding that California Governor Gavin Newsom—often floated as a possible 2028 contender—likely wouldn’t do the same.
Rogan disagreed. “Of course he would,” he said. “He copies everything that Trump does.” Rogan has long been a frequent and vocal critic of Newsom and his policies.
What People Are Saying
Podcaster Joe Rogan, speaking about the plaques during the episode: “This is so crazy. You shouldn’t be allowed to do this, right? It should be like, historians.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement previously shared to Newsweek: “The plaques are eloquently written descriptions of each President and the legacy they left behind. As a student of history, many were written directly by the President himself.”
Former vice president Kamala Harris, a Democrat who lost the 2024 election to Trump, said on Jimmy Kimmel’s show on Wednesday: “The idea that those plaques would have been placed by a president of the United States to talk about former presidents of the United States, the American people deserve better.”
What Happens Next?
Trump’s continuing renovations to the White House are still drawing scrutiny—over their scale, cost, and impact on the historic residence. As additional changes roll out, political attention and criticism from both sides are likely to continue, particularly as debates grow over what should—and shouldn’t—be altered in the People’s House.
