Joe Rogan slammed mainstream outlets for ignoring SpaceX’s dramatic astronaut rescue, accusing the press of burying the story to avoid crediting Elon Musk.
AT A GLANCE
- Joe Rogan called out media outlets for underreporting SpaceX’s March 18 rescue of two NASA astronauts.
- Astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore were stranded in space for nine months after Boeing’s Starliner failed.
- Rogan said media bias against Elon Musk led to the story being downplayed.
- Elon Musk agreed, alleging coordinated efforts to minimize his achievements.
- NASA has acknowledged the mission’s success, but coverage remained limited.
Rogan Slams Media for ‘Burying’ Historic SpaceX Rescue
Podcaster Joe Rogan is accusing mainstream media of deliberately ignoring one of the most dramatic space rescues in recent memory: the return of two American astronauts, stuck in orbit for nearly nine months, by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. On his April 4 podcast episode, Rogan blasted the press for downplaying what he called a “huge national event,” blaming widespread animosity toward Musk for the muted coverage.
The rescue unfolded after critical failures aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule forced NASA to rely on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon to retrieve astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore from the International Space Station. The pair had been stranded in orbit far longer than expected due to helium leaks and propulsion problems that grounded their original return vehicle. On March 18, the SpaceX capsule safely delivered them back to Earth.
Despite the high stakes and successful outcome, Rogan argued the mission was glossed over by major media. “We should have had a live stream of it. It should have been a huge national event… This supergenius, this Elon Musk character, is the guy who figured out how to go get them,” he said, as quoted by Hollywood in Toto.
Musk Joins Critique of ‘Selective’ Reporting
Elon Musk responded directly to the media silence, echoing Rogan’s frustration and suggesting that ideological bias fuels negative press about his ventures while eclipsing their successes. “They relentlessly push negative propaganda about me… and ignore anything positive,” Musk told the Times of India, labeling the pattern “evil.”
Musk’s critics in the media have often focused on controversies involving X (formerly Twitter), Tesla, and his political views. But as Rogan noted, “His company went and rescued them. We can’t do it anymore—we had to rely on his company,” underscoring the growing role of private spaceflight in national operations.
Watch Rogan’s full takedown on the media’s silence.
A Milestone Overshadowed
While NASA acknowledged SpaceX’s role, the broader public reaction was dampened by what Rogan and Musk describe as editorial bias. Coverage by outlets like The New York Times largely omitted Musk’s involvement, prompting criticism from independent commentators and social media users alike.
“This is a giant special interest story that would grab so many headlines,” Rogan argued, likening the mission to a real-life thriller with massive potential to captivate audiences and inspire national pride.
Despite the controversy over media silence, the mission stands as a technological triumph. It also underscores a new era of spaceflight, where government agencies are increasingly dependent on private innovators like SpaceX for mission-critical operations. The astronauts’ safe return marked not only a successful recovery but also a pivotal moment in the partnership between NASA and the private sector.
As debates over media objectivity continue, one thing is clear: when a private company becomes the sole option to bring stranded astronauts home, it’s a story that demands the nation’s attention—even if some prefer to look away.
