Poilievre’s Joe Rogan Interview Spread Misinformation to Millions, Say Researchers

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre recently became the first Canadian political leader to appear on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” a podcast that averages 11 million listeners per episode and ranks first globally on Spotify. While Poilievre claimed his appearance aimed to persuade the United States to lift tariffs on Canadian goods, researchers who study online misinformation have identified several problematic claims made during the three-hour conversation.

The podcast, which has long been criticized for platforming controversial figures and spreading unverified information, saw Poilievre present Rogan with a kettlebell inscribed with a Maple Leaf as a gift. But beyond the friendly exchange, researchers have identified several instances where the Conservative leader shared misleading or false information about Canadian policies and issues.

A team of researchers who study the “manosphere” – online spaces characterized by hypermasculine ideals with documented tendencies to spread conspiracy theories, hate and misinformation – analyzed the conversation and identified several concerning statements.

“From this vantage point, we analyzed Poilievre’s comments to Rogan to see if any of the podcaster’s well-known conspiratorial or misinformation-laden ideas made it into the conversation, and how Poilievre responded,” the researchers explained.

On immigration, Poilievre claimed without evidence that Canada admits one million immigrants annually. Government data shows the actual combined targets for temporary residents (385,000) and permanent residents (380,000) fall significantly short of this figure. Researchers note that inflating immigration numbers is a common tactic in far-right online spaces that fuels anxiety about demographic change.

Poilievre also made questionable claims about Alberta’s oilsands, telling Rogan they have “no impact to groundwater… no impact to the environment” and that people living near them are “very healthy.” This directly contradicts a 2024 University of British Columbia report that documented significant environmental and health impacts from oilsands development.

The Conservative leader failed to challenge Rogan’s assertions about seed oils being unhealthy compared to beef tallow or butter – claims that have been debunked by the Harvard School of Public Health in multiple scientific articles. This is particularly notable given Canada’s position as the world’s largest exporter of canola oil.

Perhaps most concerning was Poilievre’s claim that people are acquiring opioids through Canada’s safer supply drug program and then selling them to children. This allegation, which has been promoted by conservative media for years, was fact-checked by The Walrus magazine in 2024 and found to have no credible evidence supporting it.

Finally, Poilievre repeated his often-cited claim that pandemic-era inflation was solely due to government money-printing policies – an oversimplification that has been previously fact-checked as misleading by various outlets, including the Calgary Journal.

The spread of such misinformation on a platform with Rogan’s reach raises concerns about its potential impact. The researchers argue that Poilievre’s talking points on immigration and drug trafficking function as “dog whistles” that appeal to far-right online audiences while creating divisiveness and distrust among Canadians.

“By promoting politically expedient misinformation on a show like Joe Rogan’s, Poilievre risks eroding Canadians’ shared understanding of public health, environmental challenges and social cohesion — all issues he should be working to address,” the researchers concluded.

Despite previously showing reluctance toward political theatrics, Poilievre appears to be increasingly willing to make claims that resonate with his base, even when those claims don’t stand up to factual scrutiny. Critics suggest this approach might appeal to certain segments of voters but risks further polarizing Canadian politics at a time when democratic communication is already strained by misinformation.

The interview highlights the growing influence of alternative media platforms in political communication and raises questions about the responsibility of political leaders to maintain factual accuracy, especially when speaking to international audiences of millions.