Joe Rogan clashes with Gad Saad over ‘big fear’ of Israel’s influence on Trump

AUSTIN, TEXAS: Joe Rogan and guest Gad Saad sparred over Israel’s influence on Washington during Tuesday, May 12’s episode of 'The Joe Rogan Experience', with the famed podcaster arguing many Americans fear the country holds considerable sway over President Donald Trump and his administration.

The conversation veered into the long-running debate over the US-Israel alliance, lobbying influence, and America’s involvement in tensions with Iran.

Joe Rogan raises concerns over Israel’s political influence

Rogan said the issue for many Americans is not Judaism itself, but what he described as the close relationship between the US government and Israel’s military interests.

“In this country, the concern with Judaism is the support of the Israeli military,” Rogan said. “That’s the concern. The concern is the amount of influence that it has on the United States government, how we got into the Iran war, why we give them so much influence over our military, over our decision making, over our politicians.”

The podcast host then pointed to AIPAC, saying the lobbying group “famously” backs a large number of lawmakers in Washington.

“That’s the big fear, that there’s an inordinate amount of influence that Israel has over foreign policy, our decisions, and even our political structure,” he added.

Saad, a Canadian marketing professor currently teaching at the University of Mississippi, pushed back, arguing the issue becomes oversimplified when framed as America acting solely at Israel’s direction.

He noted that countries beyond Israel, including France and the United Kingdom, also oppose Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.

“So to frame the issue of the US is attacking or is involved in the attack on the Iranians as the United States doesn’t have personal agency, [that] they’re all wood crickets that are being puppeteered by this incredibly powerful lobby called Israel — that simply doesn’t pass the smell test,” Saad told Rogan.

Gad Saad says Trump isn’t being 'puppeteered'

Saad argued the alliance between the two countries is rooted in shared strategic interests, particularly around Iran.

Israel has "shared interests with the United States — as most allies would — where they both agree that probably an Iranian regime that has nuclear weapons would not be a good thing for world peace,” he said.

“Because these two countries have maybe greater testicular fortitude than the NATO countries, it seems as though the Israelis are puppeteering the Americans,” Saad said. “But do you really think Donald Trump is sitting and saying, ‘You know, had I not been such a weak guy with no personal agency, I wouldn’t have fallen sway to the incredibly influential Zionist lobby?’”

Rogan sidestepped the question itself, but doubled down on campaign financing concerns.

“Well, it’s not just incredibly influential; it’s the amount of financial support they gave his candidacy,” Rogan replied. “And again, all the different politicians that are beholden to Israel. That’s the concern that a lot of people on the Right and on the Left have.”

Debate mirrors broader political split

The debate comes as criticism of US support for Israel has grown louder across both parties.

Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said last month she opposed military aid to Israel, while Rep Ro Khanna joined opposition to funding Israel’s Iron Dome defense system.

Meanwhile, pundit Tucker Carlson has repeatedly blasted the US-Israel relationship, at one point claiming Israel is “in charge” of the United States and arguing the Iran conflict is being fought on Israel’s behalf.

President Donald Trump has rejected those accusations outright. “If anything, I might’ve forced Israel’s hand,” Trump said in March.

During an appearance on '60 Minutes', Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hopes US aid to Israel eventually falls to “zero” within the next decade.

The United States sent Israel $3.8 billion in aid last year, the same annual amount scheduled through 2028.

Later in the podcast, Saad explained his support for Israel stems largely from what he called its “foundational values of liberty,” which he argued align more closely with the United States and Canada than other Middle Eastern nations.

He then asked Rogan where in the Middle East he would rather have one of his daughters study abroad.

“That’s interesting,” Rogan responded before naming Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. “It’s pretty safe there.”