Joe Rogan’s Trump Interview Takes Center Stage on Gawker, Igniting 2024 Election Debate
Staff Editor Gawker Raises Eyebrows with Trump-Rogan Interview Focus
In a surprising editorial shift, Gawker’s homepage now prominently features a single story linking to Joe Rogan’s recent interview with former President Donald Trump. The post questions whether this interview could be the “defining moment” of the 2024 election, despite a CNN fact-check revealing numerous false claims made by Trump during the conversation.
This unexpected focus marks a significant departure from Gawker’s historically progressive stance and past critical coverage of Joe Rogan. The website now refers to Rogan as a “podcast superstar,” signaling a notable change in tone. The timing of this editorial decision has raised suspicions, given the proximity to the upcoming presidential election.
Alongside this shift, Gawker has introduced an “Ask a Gawker” feature on its homepage, hinting at the potential integration of an AI chatbot. The feature is presented with a tongue-in-cheek message, suggesting a playful approach to user interaction.
Gawker’s controversial history includes a high-profile legal battle over a Hulk Hogan sex tape, which led to the site’s initial shutdown. Since then, ownership has changed hands multiple times, from Univision to Bustle Digital Group, and most recently to Meng Ru Kuok. Notably, Kuok acquired only the trademarks and domain name, not the archives, indicating a possible reinvention of the brand.
Kuok has expressed that Gawker has an opportunity for reinvention, and the latest homepage change appears to align with this vision of a new direction for the once-controversial media outlet. As the 2024 election approaches, observers will be watching closely to see how Gawker’s editorial stance continues to evolve under its new ownership.
