Embattled podcaster Joe Rogan has stepped into a scandal yet again. As critics continue to skewer Rogan for his spread of misinformation, the internet has erupted after Rogan, 54, shared yet another absurd claim over the weekend that actor Steven Seagal had joined the Russian military.
2022 has already seen Rogan come under harsh criticism for his spread of false information and conspiracy theories related to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as his use of racial slurs. Now that scrutiny has extended to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with Rogan spreading further absurd claims.
In a post to Instagram on Monday (Feb. 28)–since-deleted–Rogan shared a screenshot of actor Seagal toting a machine gun and combat fatigues. The headline on the photo read “Intelligence agencies around the world have spotted American actor Steven Seagal among Russian special forces positioned around the outskirts of Gostomel airfield near Kyiv captured by Russian airborne troops.”
“If I had to guess the plot of this f*cked up movie we’re living through I would say we are about 14 hours from the arrival of the aliens,” Rogan captioned.
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Followers of Rogan quickly pointed out that the image was actually from Seagal’s 2016 film Sniper.
Related: Joe Rogan now says he wasn’t being racist when he used the N-word and called Black people apes
“This is obviously photoshopped though,” noted one follower, according to The New York Post. “I may be a beluga whale but I do make memes for a living so I like to think I can detect a meme with my sonar.”
“I am so ashamed of you Joe Rogan,” raged another. “You go on and post about alien invasions and living in movies, but when actual tragedy starts with real people dying you are silent. When a real monster needs to be stopped, you do nothing. Is it because you actually are not so ‘objective’ and ‘curious’, but you are definitely brainwashed for good. Speak up! Condemn atrocities! You have a huge platform. Act like a leader and stop posting irrelevant stuff making it all look like a joke. It’s not.”
The latest scandal involving Rogan’s spread of false information comes following several apologies where Rogan has vowed to “do better” regarding the way in which he uses his podcasting platform. Already a number of recording stars–including Neil Young, India Arie, and Joni Mitchell–have pulled their music from the streaming giant Spotify over its continued support of Rogan.
Meanwhile, in the wake of Rogan’s SeagalGate, Twitter laughter and anger toward the host have exploded on Twitter. Here are some of our favorite comments on the subject…
Joe Rogan sharing a fake CNN article about Steven Seagal joining the Russian military is all you need to know about how hard he’s trying to “do better.”
It also shows you how fake news has been able to push redeemable center-right folks into Trumpist lunacy.
— Jesse (@JesseBlueYellow) February 28, 2022
Can you just do a minimum amount of checking before posting fake stuff https://t.co/7VwHk3YL5I
— ??Shannon Smith ????? (@chemom) February 28, 2022
Steven Seagal is not fighting for Russia currently. That image going around is from a movie he did in 2016 called Cartels. Use ya heads people. Especially you, Joe Rogan.
All he had to do is Google "cnn Steven Seagal" to see that that news piece does not exist. pic.twitter.com/LKXUjYiRar
— DuGMcFug (@Dug_McFarlane) February 28, 2022
Rightist Joe Rogan is Wrong:
Despite actor Steven Seagal’s bromance with Dictator Putin, I doubt that — at almost the age of 70 — he’d be joining Russia’s special forces. Still, Seagal should emigrate… pic.twitter.com/yMLHPsoZsG— Route60plus (@Route_60plus) February 28, 2022
Joe Rogan's sharing fake information about Steven Seagal joining Russian special forces demonstrates his biggest problems—zero critical thinking skills and no understanding of when his jokes are appropriate.
— Jamie Chambers (@Jamie1km) February 28, 2022
adb12
Really? There is “spreading information” and “saying stupid things in an attempt to be funny”. Yes, Rogan is a colossal jackhole, and making “jokes” like this while people are dying is the worst possible taste. But people are worried that someone might believe Seagal is fighting the Russians? *That’s* the big battle here? Fact checking instead of empathy?
Jimthy
Rogan is such an ASS. So tired of his false information.And racist comments. I’ve stoped listening to him..We should all.But this is how he gets his rating. Anybody with half a brain would know that’s not true about Seqal
Ronbo
“Spreading disinformation”? Repeating CNN is disinformation?!? This is actually condemning team CORPORATE. What’s next… revealing that Bill Clinton pushed, passed and signed BOTH DADT and DOMA? Eek! Truth is for independents – not sheeple!
David Reddish is saying that stupid people trust CNN!?! Seems he joined team Gremore in Zoe’s anti-gay rhetoric.
Den
Are you really such an idiot that you believe it was a real CNN article? Or are you so stupid and inarticulate that you cannot actually communicate what you intend to? Or is it both?
Right wingers seem to have the intellect of a rotifer or tardigrade!
Ronbo
Even Queerty is anti-trans – changing “ze” to “Zoe”. Your hateful anti trans pronoun selection has ruined my life!!!
I’m suing !
dbmcvey
Huh?
mailliw110
Don’t worry. There’s still your trolling expertise to fall back on.
Ronbo
My life is ruined!
Fahd
Spotify should be held accountable. Where are the regulators?
SamB
Burn him at the stake! Who is responsible for this?? They must be punished!!!
Mr. Stadnick
This guy was never funny when he was trying to be a comic and the only reason anyone knows his name is because he now says idiotic things to get people ruffled. Its his schtick, granted it is inane and he’s a tool but if you give him press he wins.
THAT Steve
I was honestly curious so I clicked but you’re right: we should stop clicking on Rogaine articles. All the site sees is the clicks and we both essentially upvoted that Rogaine articles will drive traffic.
tangent
It’s really astonishing how socially inept have become from the past two years of being removed from human interaction. Rogan is a windbag, but it’s shocking that people are outraged over this.
Jim
I always go to Spotify for misinformation.
I know they’re always about the green
Cam
Awwww, one of the right wing troll’s screenames (Ronbo) seems almost panicked to defend Rogan’s new lies and pro-Putin amplification.
Seagal has been a Putin defender for years and Rogan amplifying this obviously fake story goes right along with this anti-Vaxx laws and rac-ism.
Polaro
Seriously? It was an obvious joke. You look silly.
nunya
The internet is full of idiots. No different from how life used to be pre-internet; just everyone has a platform now to display their idiocy and righteous indignation to the world.
Theweatherman
He used to be cute, but the roofs ruined him.
Kevan1
Fake info yes. But do some checking, the asshole does live in Russia.