Joe Rogan has quietly inserted himself into the escalating cultural and political feud between President Donald Trump and America’s northern neighbor—this time by making a calculated absence. As tensions rise between the U.S. and Canada, Rogan, one of the most recognizable voices in sports commentary and podcasting, has publicly declared: he’s not going to Montreal.
“I don’t go to Canada anymore,” Rogan said on a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience. Then he doubled down: “I’d rather go to Russia.”
The statement comes at a moment of heightened tension between the U.S. and Canada, fueled in part by Trump’s renewed push for steep tariffs and his off-the-cuff remark that he’d be happy to make Canada the “51st state.” The dispute, while partly economic, has turned sharply personal and cultural.
Canadian sports fans booed The Star-Spangled Banner in early February during games, and a heated showdown at the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey championship only added fuel to the fire. After Canada defeated the U.S., Justin Trudeau—now out of office—mocked Trump on X, posting, “You can’t take our game – and you can’t take our country.”
Now, the UFC—an organization where Trump has longstanding ties and deep popularity—is preparing to return to Canada for UFC 315 on May 10 in Montreal. But Rogan, who usually joins the broadcast team for high-profile pay-per-view events, won’t be part of the team. His absence is not due to scheduling conflicts. It’s political.
Rogan clarified that his decision is based on his distaste for the Canadian government, not its citizens. “The government in Canada is terrible… but the Canadian people are awesome,” he said. Still, his absence will be noticeable.
UFC 315 will feature two championship bouts, and with Rogan out, the event follows a similar pattern seen earlier this year at UFC 312 in London, where Michael Bisping replaced him.
While Rogan has never been one to shy away from controversy, this move effectively places him—willingly or not—in Trump’s corner. With the UFC set to land in the middle of a cross-border feud, his decision sends a clear message, one likely to resonate with many of his American listeners and UFC fans who view Canada’s recent political trajectory with skepticism.
The implications are more symbolic than strategic, but in a media landscape where sports, politics, and culture now blend seamlessly, symbolic moves matter. Rogan’s choice to sit this one out won’t change trade policy—but it reinforces the widening divide between American cultural figures and Canada’s political class.
