‘How’s that legal?’ Joe Rogan stunned by Trump’s Truth Social early-access plan

WASHINGTON, DC: Joe Rogan was left stunned after learning that companies can pay for faster access to President Donald Trump’s Truth Social posts, which can potentially affect financial markets.

Rogan discovered the service while speaking with fellow comedian Shane Gillis on the latest episode of ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’, released Thursday, August 13. The discussion quickly turned to the legal questions surrounding the service after Gillis explained how early access could potentially allow people to react to posts before others see them.

This revelation also comes as Trump Media, which owns Truth Social, faces a lawsuit over the early-access arrangement.

Joe Rogan asks how Donald Trump’s Truth Social plan is legal

Gillis explained to Rogan that people could receive access to Trump’s posts before they are publicly available and potentially use that information to make bets on the market.

"Wait a minute, is that real? You get access to a tweet before he makes it and then you can bet on that tweet? How's that legal?" Rogan asked.

Truth Social is offering access to an API that provides what it describes as "instant access to high-speed trading machines."

Companies can essentially pay to receive posts from the platform faster.

Rogan then learned that Trump Media was being sued over the arrangement. "Who is telling him this is a good idea? I feel like I need to be closer to him," Rogan said.

Intercept Media and the nonprofit Freedom of the Press Association sued Trump Media this month over the move.

Donald Trump’s Truth Social service costs $100,000 a month

Rogan's reaction became even stronger when he discovered how much the service costs.

"Oh, my God! Not even $100,000 a year, each month?!" he exclaimed. The figure appeared to catch him completely off guard as he continued questioning how the arrangement could be legal.

Rogan also suggested that Trump was looking to make money before leaving office, saying he was "on a grab" for cash. He questioned whether the idea had actually come directly from Trump or from someone working around him.

"It's probably not even Trump," Rogan said. "It was probably some weasel who works in the administration who is just like, charge them $100,000 a month, and you can post things, and move the market."

Joe Rogan has grown more critical of Donald Trump

Rogan's reaction is also notable because he endorsed Trump during the 2024 presidential election.

Since then, however, Rogan has become more openly critical of the president on several issues, including the Epstein files, the Iran war and mass deportations.