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By Marni Rose McFall
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Joe Rogan said that he would rather go to Russia than Canada and that he won't be at the UFC 315 in Montreal in May.
Newsweek reached out to a representative for Rogan outside of regular working hours via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Rogan is a prominent UFC commentator whose popular podcast The Joe Rogan Experience has long dominated the podcast charts.
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He is a prominent figure in American popular culture. His podcast frequently welcomes star guests, including politicians like President Donald Trump, who appeared on Rogan's podcast during the 2024 campaign. Rogan was thanked by name by Dana White, a longtime friend of Trump when he claimed victory in the presidential election.
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What to Know
UFC 315 will take place in May in Montreal, Quebec. Fans had thought that Rogan would be on commentary duties for the UFC.
But Rogan said during an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience on Saturday: "I won't be there. I don't go to Canada anymore, I don't. I'd rather go to Russia."
Rogan added that the Canadian government is "terrible," but the Canadian people are "awesome."
"That's so crazy, he asked them to be the 51st state. I had a conversation with Trump about it," Rogan said.
Recalling the conversation, he said that Trump had said: "I started calling him Governor Trudeau just for fun, a lot of people are saying it's a good idea."
Tensions between the U.S. and Canada have been high since the beginning of Trump's second term amid an escalating trade war. Mark Carney, the successor of the aforementioned former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently called a snap general election.
In a speech, Carney said: "We are facing the most significant crisis of our lifetimes because of President Trump's unjustified trade actions and his threats to our sovereignty.
"President Trump claims that Canada isn't a real country. He wants to break us so America can own us. We will not let that happen."
The comments have been met with backlash online from Canadians.
One user posted on X: "Canada keeps winning in this trade war. The no Joe Rogan tariff is a beauty." Another user posted on X: "joe rogan says he'd rather go to russia than canada. trump has fried this man's brain."
However some users appeared to back Rogan's comments. Journalist Mark Slapinski posted: "Joe Rogan just B***-SLAPPED Canada after 9 years of Liberal dominance, says he rather go to Russia."
What People Are Saying
One social media user wrote: "As a Canadian, this made my day."
Another social media user commented: "Me too."
What's Next
UFC 315 is set to take place on May 10 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec.
The trade war goes on and Canada faces an important election.
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