Podcast host Joe Rogan called on Texas State Rep. James Talarico, a progressive Democrat from Austin, to consider a presidential run during a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, praising him as “a good person” and a much-needed voice in American politics.
“You need to run for president,” Rogan told Talarico toward the end of their nearly three-hour conversation on Friday. “We need someone who’s actually a good person.”
Talarico laughed off the suggestion and cautioned against placing too much faith in any one political figure. He cited Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders—a frequent favorite among progressives and a past Rogan endorsement—as an example of how idolizing politicians can backfire.
“I like Bernie a whole lot, but some people treat him like a messianic figure,” Talarico said. “And Trump on the right, people treat him as a messiah in some ways. This is a problem.”
Talarico emphasized that real political change comes from the public, not individual leaders. “If there’s any hope I can give people, it’s that the people in power—including billionaire mega-donors who basically run this whole thing—are very afraid of the power the people have. That I know for sure.”
A Progressive Voice in Red-State Politics
Talarico, a former middle school teacher, has built a reputation as one of the Texas Legislature’s most outspoken progressives. He’s clashed with Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on numerous issues and has not shied away from bold language.
Following the 2022 mass shooting in Uvalde, Talarico condemned Abbott in an MSNBC appearance, saying,
“Greg Abbott is the greatest public safety threat to Texans right now.”
He cited multiple crises, including the Uvalde tragedy, the state’s deadly winter power outages, and the early reopening of bars during the COVID-19 pandemic as failures in leadership that cost lives.
“Texans are dying,” he said. “The kids in Uvalde, the teachers in Uvalde, the Texans who died during the blackout, and from COVID-19—because of decisions made by our governor.”
Rogan and Talarico: A Unlikely but Candid Exchange
While Rogan has often criticized lockdowns and hosted guests skeptical of progressive policies like “Defund the Police,” he has shown an openness to voices from across the political spectrum. His warm reception of Talarico surprised some listeners, with Rogan repeatedly expressing admiration for the lawmaker’s integrity and thoughtfulness.
As Democrats continue to face internal questions about the party’s future leadership, Rogan’s endorsement of a little-known state lawmaker for the White House may not carry immediate political weight—but it reflects growing frustration with the national status quo and a hunger for new faces in the political arena.
