Joe Rogan Grills Politicians: Who Do They Really Serve?

Joe Rogan (Opening Monologue):
Hey folks — welcome to what might be the most honest conversation we’ve ever had.

Let’s be real: politics today feels like pro wrestling. There’s a lot of shouting, a lot of costumes, and behind the curtain — the same money’s paying both sides. But I wanted to ask a question most people don’t: Who are these politicians really speaking for?

Are they fighting for you — the guy working double shifts, raising kids, trying to stay sane?
Or are they pushing agendas handed down from donors, lobbyists, or foreign governments?

This series isn’t about left or right. It’s about truth — and what happens when you put high-level thinkers, agitators, and insiders into one space and force the conversation.

We’re going to hit five big questions — not with sound bites, but with actual pushback and tension. You may get mad. You may be surprised. You might even change your mind. But one thing’s for sure:

You’re going to hear what they really think — and maybe, for once, what’s really going on.

Let’s dive in.

(Note: This is an imaginary conversation, a creative exploration of an idea, and not a real speech or event.) 

Who Are You Really Speaking For?

Moderator: Joe Rogan

“Why do politicians often prioritize global interests or foreign nationals over American citizens?”

Participants:

• President Donald J. Trump
• Tucker Carlson (Republican commentator)
• Senator Josh Hawley (R–MO)
• Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D–NY)
• Pete Buttigieg (Democrat, former Secretary of Transportation)
• Rep. Ilhan Omar (D–MN)

Joe Rogan (Opening):
Welcome to the table. Today’s question is raw and real:
“Who are politicians really speaking for?”
The voters who elected them — or someone else entirely? President Trump, you’re the sitting President now. Let’s start with you.

President Donald Trump:
Thanks, Joe. Look, this is the exact question I’ve been asking for years. And the answer is obvious — a lot of politicians don’t speak for the American people. They speak for donors, globalists, foreign lobbyists, and radical activists. I ran in 2016, 2020, and again in 2024 to give the country back to its citizens. I’ve kept my promises — border security, trade deals that help American workers, energy independence. That’s called putting America First, and frankly, it’s what every leader should be doing.

Tucker Carlson:
Exactly. What you just heard from the President is what millions of Americans feel. Washington became a cartel — where your voice didn’t matter unless you had a billion-dollar foundation or a foreign embassy backing you. The political class talks about "democracy" while ignoring the people’s will. Immigration policy is a perfect example — no one voted to flood the country with millions of illegal immigrants, but it keeps happening.

Senator Josh Hawley:
Tucker, I’d take that even further. It’s not just about being ignored. It’s about being targeted. Middle America, working-class families, Christian values — all of that has been sidelined in favor of some elite, global vision of “progress.” But that vision doesn’t work in Missouri, and it sure doesn’t serve the truck driver, the rancher, or the single mom trying to afford groceries.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez:
Let’s not pretend we’re having this conversation in a vacuum. “America First” often becomes code for “America alone.” When we help others — yes, including migrants fleeing danger — we are investing in a global stability that helps us, too. Compassion isn’t weakness, and sometimes global cooperation is in America’s best interest.

Pete Buttigieg:
I agree with AOC — we have to stop treating international engagement as betrayal. What’s really dangerous is when we confuse nationalism with patriotism. I love this country — that’s why I served. But real leadership means looking ahead, understanding we can’t retreat from the world stage. Diplomacy, trade, alliances — they’re part of protecting American interests too.

Rep. Ilhan Omar:
And let’s be clear — many of us who come from immigrant families or different backgrounds are also Americans. Questioning people’s loyalty based on where they came from or who they advocate for is a dangerous path. We need to represent the people who elected us — and that includes immigrants, refugees, and minorities who’ve been ignored for decades.

Joe Rogan:
Alright. Strong perspectives. Let me ask a question that cuts through the rhetoric:
“Who do you think most politicians actually serve — right now — if not the people?” Quick-fire round.

Donald Trump:
The globalist elite. Bankers, foreign lobbyists, corporate media.

Tucker Carlson:
Multinational corporations and defense contractors.

Josh Hawley:
Silicon Valley and coastal billionaires.

AOC:
Wall Street, plain and simple.

Buttigieg:
Too many still serve special interests, not constituents.

Ilhan Omar:
They serve fear and division — to stay in power, not to serve.

Joe Rogan (Closing):
You know what’s wild? Across this table — left, right, center — there’s actually agreement: a lot of politicians aren’t working for the people.
They’re working for someone else.
The details differ, but the feeling’s the same. And until we fix that — the yelling, the headlines, the tribalism — it’s all just theater.

Next up: “Compassion vs. Chaos — Where Do We Draw the Line on Immigration?”

Moderator: Joe Rogan

Can a nation be both humane and secure — or are we sacrificing safety for optics?

Participants:

• President Donald J. Trump
• Governor Ron DeSantis (R–FL)
• Senator Tom Cotton (R–AR)
• Senator Cory Booker (D–NJ)
• Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D–WA)
• Kamala Harris (Former Vice President)

Joe Rogan (Opening):
Alright, let’s talk about the border. The southern one. For years now, we’ve seen record crossings, humanitarian crises, fentanyl smuggling, and political stunts from both sides. My question: Is it even possible to be both compassionate and secure anymore — or are we sacrificing safety in the name of optics? Mr. President — take us in.

President Donald Trump:
Thanks, Joe. Look — I don’t think it’s ever been more clear: a country without borders is not a country. When I left office in 2021, the border was under control. We built over 450 miles of wall, we had "Remain in Mexico," and illegal crossings were way down. When the Biden administration reversed that, chaos followed. It wasn’t compassion — it was incompetence, and Americans paid the price. Now that I’m back in office, we’re restoring order. We can be compassionate, yes — after we protect our own people first.

Governor Ron DeSantis:
I agree, Mr. President. In Florida, we’ve taken a tough stance on illegal immigration, and guess what? It works. You cannot have sanctuary policies and then act shocked when your cities are overrun. Compassion doesn’t mean handing out benefits to people who broke the law — it means creating a system that respects sovereignty and fairness.

Senator Tom Cotton:
What people don’t realize is that open-border policies enable cartels, child trafficking, and fentanyl flooding our streets. If you think that’s compassion, you’re not paying attention. I support asylum — real asylum — for people in true danger. But this mass migration model? It’s unsustainable, and it’s dangerous.

Senator Cory Booker:
Let me jump in here, because I think we’re creating a false binary. You can have security and compassion. We need to modernize the system, yes — but treating every migrant like a threat is dehumanizing. These are families, kids, people fleeing situations most of us couldn’t survive. A strong nation should be able to both vet and welcome.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal:
I represent one of the most diverse districts in the country, and I’ve seen firsthand how immigrants enrich our society. The real problem is that our system is deliberately broken. Politicians fear fixing it because they benefit from the crisis — whether that’s campaign messaging or scapegoating. Compassion starts with treating immigrants like humans, not pawns.

Kamala Harris:
I’ve been to the border. I’ve talked to leaders in Central America. And I can tell you — this issue starts before they reach our border. We must address root causes: poverty, corruption, violence. But yes, we also need enforcement. I’ve said it before — do not come illegally. We need clear, fair, legal pathways and accountability.

Joe Rogan:
Okay, I want to get specific now.
What’s one policy on immigration you support that might actually surprise people in your own party or your base?

Donald Trump:
I support fast-tracking skilled legal immigration — we want the best and brightest, but through the front door.

DeSantis:
I support expanding E-Verify nationwide — not just in red states.

Cotton:
I’m open to limited refugee programs for persecuted religious minorities — if it’s tightly controlled.

Booker:
I support stronger border infrastructure if it’s paired with legal status pathways.

Jayapal:
I support increasing funding for immigration courts — delays hurt everyone.

Harris:
I support more regional asylum processing centers to avoid chaos at our border itself.

Joe Rogan (Closing):
So here we are — talking about walls, courts, kids, cartels, and compassion. And guess what? Even this mix of people found areas of agreement. That tells me the answers do exist — but the will to act? That’s a whole other issue.

Next up: “What Is America’s Identity — A Nation, or an Idea?”

What Is America’s Identity — A Nation, or an Idea?

Moderator: Joe Rogan

Is American citizenship still a sacred bond, or just a legal formality in a borderless world?

Participants:

• President Donald J. Trump
• Ben Shapiro (conservative commentator)
• Charlie Kirk (conservative activist)
• Barack Obama (44th President of the U.S.)
• Andrew Yang (entrepreneur, Forward Party founder)
• Senator Elizabeth Warren (D–MA)

Joe Rogan (Opening):
We toss around words like “freedom,” “justice,” and “diversity” like they’re sacred, but ask ten people what America means and you’ll get ten different answers. So I want to ask the table today:
Is America still a nation — defined by borders, culture, and laws? Or has it become an idea anyone can adopt regardless of origin or tradition?
President Trump, start us off.

President Donald Trump:
Thanks, Joe. This country is a nation, not just an idea. It has a culture, a history, a Constitution, and yes — borders. You don’t preserve a great civilization by watering it down into some vague notion of global unity. America is exceptional because of its founding — not because it tries to be everything for everyone. We love immigrants, but they have to come here legally, learn the language, and respect the values that made this place great.

Ben Shapiro:
I completely agree. America is an idea, yes — but it’s an idea built on a very specific framework: rule of law, individual liberty, and limited government. When we forget that, we lose the glue that holds us together. Citizenship used to mean something. Now people want the benefits of America without buying into the responsibilities. That’s unsustainable.

Charlie Kirk:
Here’s what’s dangerous: if America is just an idea, then anyone can redefine it — and that’s exactly what the left has been doing. They’re trying to erase traditions, tear down history, and rebuild this country into something it never was. We must defend the nation-state, or we’ll lose our identity to globalist revisionism.

Barack Obama:
Look, I understand the concerns — but I think we’re framing this wrong. America has always been both a nation and an idea. What makes us special isn’t race, blood, or soil. It’s that we built a country where your background doesn’t define your future. That doesn’t mean we erase history — it means we live up to our ideals, generation by generation.

Andrew Yang:
I think both sides are missing something. We’re arguing identity while the country’s falling apart economically and socially. The real crisis is meaning. People feel disconnected because the system isn't working. We need a shared national project — call it purpose, innovation, whatever — to bring people back together. America as an idea only works if the system delivers.

Senator Elizabeth Warren:
And let’s not forget: the “idea” of America only works if it’s accessible to everyone. If people can’t afford health care, if student debt crushes dreams, if workers are disposable — then the idea collapses. So yes, we’re a nation. But we must constantly redefine and expand the promise of what that nation offers.

Joe Rogan:
Alright — now let’s simplify it.
What’s one core value or tradition that defines America — something we can’t afford to lose? Go.

Trump:
Patriotism. Love your country and defend its interests. Period.

Shapiro:
Free speech. If we lose that, it’s over.

Kirk:
Faith and family. That’s the backbone of our culture.

Obama:
Equality of opportunity. The American Dream must stay alive.

Yang:
Civic engagement. We need a government that serves all of us.

Warren:
Justice. Without it, the nation fractures.

Joe Rogan (Closing):
I’ve got to say — even though you all came from different angles, you just proved something:
People still believe in something about this country. The challenge isn’t defining America — it’s fighting for it without tearing each other apart.

Coming up next: “Should U.S. Politicians Be Allowed to Hold Dual Loyalties?”

Should U.S. Politicians Be Allowed to Hold Dual Loyalties?

Moderator: Joe Rogan

What are the risks when elected officials have deep ties — financially, culturally, or ideologically — to foreign nations?

Participants:

• President Donald J. Trump
• Senator Ted Cruz (R–TX)
• Steve Bannon (former White House chief strategist)
• Senator Bernie Sanders (I–VT)
• Senator Richard Blumenthal (D–CT)
• Rep. Adam Schiff (D–CA)

Joe Rogan (Opening):
Today’s question’s a loaded one — and that’s why we need to ask it. Should U.S. politicians be allowed to hold dual loyalties? I don’t just mean passports — I mean when their decisions start looking like they’re benefiting someone other than the American people. Mr. President, it’s a sensitive one, but it starts with you.

President Donald Trump:
Thanks, Joe. First of all, I’ve always said — America First. That’s not just a slogan — that’s how every elected official should think. But what we’ve seen are politicians who are owned by foreign lobbyists, foreign donors, and globalist institutions. And it’s not just about passports — it’s about interests. You can’t serve two masters. You work for the American people — or you don’t belong in Washington.

Senator Ted Cruz:
I’ll say this plainly: No one with dual citizenship should be serving in federal office. Period. If you want to be an American leader, then you should have full allegiance to the United States — not a second nation in your back pocket. We’ve seen too many cases where foreign policy is shaped by allegiances that are not aligned with America’s interest.

Steve Bannon:
Let me go further: this isn’t just about dual citizenship. It’s about ideology. We’ve got people in Congress and government who worship Davos, not Detroit. They’re loyal to multinational corporations, to the United Nations, to global NGOs. They’re shaping trade deals and tech regulations that gut American workers — while cozying up to international power centers.

Senator Bernie Sanders:
Look, I agree we need transparency — but let’s be real. The biggest threat isn’t foreigners, it’s corporate power. The people buying politicians are just as likely to have U.S. addresses and Cayman Island accounts. Dual loyalty is real — but sometimes it’s not about other nations, it’s about other classes. I don’t care if you’ve got dual citizenship — if you serve the billionaires, you’re betraying the working class.

Senator Richard Blumenthal:
We’ve got laws in place to prevent foreign influence — but we’re not enforcing them. The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) is toothless. Politicians should disclose every foreign connection — financial, legal, and familial. But we also need to protect the rights of naturalized citizens and immigrants. Allegiance should be judged by actions, not ancestry.

Rep. Adam Schiff:
Joe, you know I’ve dealt with foreign interference firsthand. Whether it’s Russia, China, or any other actor — we must tighten security, increase vetting, and expose backchannel deals. But let’s not let this become a dog whistle. People who love this country come from everywhere. The real danger is when politicians make decisions in secret — not when they have hyphenated names.

Joe Rogan:
Alright, lightning round time.
Name one reform you’d support — even if it might upset your base — to reduce dual loyalty concerns in U.S. politics.

Trump:
Ban foreign donations, fully enforce FARA, and lifetime ban on lobbying for foreign governments.

Cruz:
Disqualify federal candidates with dual citizenship. No exceptions.

Bannon:
Kick out all foreign-funded think tanks from D.C. and the university system.

Sanders:
Require real-time disclosure of corporate lobbying — both domestic and foreign.

Blumenthal:
Mandatory annual vetting of all elected officials for undisclosed foreign ties.

Schiff:
Create a nonpartisan ethics board to investigate foreign entanglements.

Joe Rogan (Closing):
Here’s what I take away from this one — it’s not just about flags, passports, or family names.
It’s about clarity. Accountability. Loyalty.
And if we can’t trust our leaders to serve only us, the people who elected them — then we’ve already lost the republic.

Next up — and it’s a big one:
“Are We Still a Government by the People?”

Are We Still a Government by the People?

Moderator: Joe Rogan

Or have we become a country ruled by donors, tech elites, and global lobbyists?

Participants:

• President Donald J. Trump
• Senator Rand Paul (R–KY)
• Gov. Kristi Noem (R–SD)
• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Independent)
• Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D–RI)
• Marianne Williamson (Democrat, spiritual author)

Joe Rogan (Opening):
We say “We the People,” but I think a lot of people today feel like we’re ruled by someone else — donors, corporations, tech giants, alphabet agencies. So let’s put it on the table:
Are we still a government by the people — or is that just a nice-sounding myth we keep repeating?
President Trump, take us in.

President Donald Trump:
Thanks, Joe. Look — let’s not kid ourselves. The people haven’t been in charge for a long time. When I first ran in 2016, I said it clearly: The system is rigged. And I was right. Bureaucrats, media, Big Tech, the intelligence community — they tried to silence me, and by extension, they tried to silence millions of voters. But we came back. In 2024, we won again. Why? Because people are sick of being ruled by unelected elites. I’m here to give the government back to the American people.

Senator Rand Paul:
The Founders would be horrified at what we’ve become. Congress doesn’t write laws anymore — bureaucrats do. We’ve got central banks manipulating markets and surveillance states spying on citizens. If we’re going to restore government by the people, we need to gut the administrative state, end endless wars, and bring financial transparency to every corner of Washington.

Gov. Kristi Noem:
I see it at the state level every day. People feel like Washington, D.C. doesn’t represent them at all. They just want freedom, fairness, and safety — and instead they get red tape, mandates, and moral lectures. The power should flow outward from the people to the states — not from unelected D.C. regulators down to us.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.:
This government is captured. Captured by Big Pharma, Big Ag, Big Tech — all of it. The alphabet agencies? Many of them are extensions of corporate power. They’re not accountable to the public. They silence dissent. They squash independent voices. And the media? They’re not watchdogs — they’re lapdogs. The people are not in charge — and that should scare everyone, left or right.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse:
Look, I agree the system is broken — but let’s follow the money. Dark money, Super PACs, lobbyists writing laws. That’s not democracy. That’s oligarchy. Until we get rid of anonymous political spending and pass serious campaign finance reform, this government will belong to the highest bidder — not the voters.

Marianne Williamson:
I see it more spiritually. A nation that was founded on liberty has become addicted to fear, greed, and power. The American soul is under siege. We don’t just need structural change — we need moral renewal. Until we value truth, empathy, and service over status, even the best reforms won’t hold.

Joe Rogan:
Okay — closing lightning round.
What’s one bold change you’d support — even if it risks your own base — to return power to the people?

Trump:
Term limits for Congress. Drain the swamp — permanently.

Rand Paul:
Abolish the Patriot Act. Restore civil liberties.

Noem:
Federalism. Return more power to the states.

RFK Jr.:
Ban corporate funding of federal agencies — no more industry capture.

Whitehouse:
End dark money. Make every dollar in politics traceable.

Williamson:
Universal civic education — empower minds, not just ballots.

Joe Rogan:
If you’ve made it through all five topics, maybe you’ve noticed something:
The voices sound different — but the frustrations? They’re the same.
Left, right, establishment, outsider — they’re all saying the same thing in different languages:
The system is broken. The people feel left out. And something’s gotta give.

Now the real question is: Will we listen? Or will we keep pretending everything’s fine until it isn’t?

Final Thoughts by Joe Rogan

Joe Rogan (Closing Monologue):
We brought together some of the loudest voices in American life — and instead of just yelling over each other, something bigger happened.

They disagreed, sure. Sometimes violently. But in every single topic — whether it was immigration, identity, or loyalty — a strange thing kept happening:

They started circling the same pain.

• That the system’s rigged.

• That the elites are insulated.

• That the average person feels like a pawn in someone else’s game.

And that tells me something:
We’re not as divided as we’ve been told.

Now, will anything change from this? I don’t know.
But I do know this:
If we keep asking, “Who are they really speaking for?”,
and if we refuse to accept answers that dodge the question —
then maybe, just maybe, the people will get their voice back.

Thanks for sticking with it. And whatever side you’re on — keep thinking for yourself.

Donald J. Trump

The 47th President of the United States, inaugurated for a second non-consecutive term on January 20, 2025. Trump previously served as the 45th president from 2017 to 2021. His 2024 election victory over Kamala Harris marked a historic return to office, making him the first U.S. president to serve non-consecutive terms since Grover Cleveland.

Tucker Carlson

A prominent conservative political commentator and media personality. After hosting "Tucker Carlson Tonight" on Fox News until 2023, he launched "Tucker on X" and "The Tucker Carlson Show," continuing his influential presence in political discourse.

Senator Josh Hawley (R–MO)

Serving as the senior U.S. senator from Missouri since 2019, Hawley is known for his conservative stances and advocacy for populist policies. He was re-elected in 2024, continuing his influence within the Republican Party.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D–NY)

Representing New York's 14th congressional district since 2019, Ocasio-Cortez is a leading voice in the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. In 2025, she embarked on a national tour with Senator Bernie Sanders to mobilize progressive support.

Pete Buttigieg

Served as the U.S. Secretary of Transportation from 2021 to 2025 under President Joe Biden. Prior to that, he was the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and a Democratic presidential candidate in 2020.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D–MN)

Elected in 2019, Omar represents Minnesota's 5th congressional district. She is one of the first two Muslim women in Congress and the first Somali American legislator, known for her advocacy on progressive issues.

Governor Ron DeSantis (R–FL)

Serving as the 46th governor of Florida since 2019, DeSantis is a prominent figure in the conservative movement. He ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024 but withdrew in January of that year.

Senator Tom Cotton (R–AR)

A U.S. senator since 2015, Cotton is known for his military service and hawkish foreign policy positions. He chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee and is a key figure in Republican leadership.

Senator Cory Booker (D–NJ)

Representing New Jersey in the Senate since 2013, Booker is recognized for his oratory skills and progressive policies. In 2025, he delivered the longest speech in Senate history, protesting aspects of President Trump's agenda.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D–WA)

Serving Washington's 7th congressional district since 2017, Jayapal is the first Indian-American woman in the House of Representatives and a leading progressive voice.

Kamala Harris

Served as the 49th Vice President of the United States from 2021 to 2025, making history as the first female, African American, and Asian American to hold the office. She was the Democratic nominee in the 2024 presidential election but was defeated by Donald Trump.

Ben Shapiro

A conservative political commentator, author, and attorney, Shapiro is the co-founder of The Daily Wire and host of "The Ben Shapiro Show," a widely followed conservative podcast.

Charlie Kirk

Founder and president of Turning Point USA, Kirk is a prominent conservative activist focused on engaging young Americans in politics. He also leads several affiliated organizations promoting conservative values.

Barack Obama

The 44th President of the United States, serving from 2009 to 2017. Obama was the first African American to hold the presidency and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 for his efforts to strengthen international diplomacy.

Andrew Yang

An entrepreneur and political commentator, Yang founded the Forward Party in 2021, advocating for policies like universal basic income and electoral reform. He was a Democratic presidential candidate in 2020.

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D–MA)

Serving as a U.S. senator since 2013, Warren is known for her focus on consumer protection and economic inequality. She was a candidate in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries.

Senator Ted Cruz (R–TX)

A U.S. senator since 2013, Cruz is a leading figure in the conservative movement, known for his constitutionalist views and role in significant legislative debates.

Steve Bannon

A political strategist and media executive, Bannon served as White House Chief Strategist in the early months of the Trump administration and continues to be an influential figure in right-wing politics.