Trump quips on depression cure, asks 'Can I Have Some Please?' during Oval Office event with Joe Rogan
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump, on Saturday, April 18, drew laughter during a White House event after jokingly asking for a treatment being discussed for depression and anxiety.
Speaking during an executive order signing tied to expanded research into ibogaine, Trump reacted to claims about its reported mental health benefits by saying, “Can I have some please?”
The moment came as podcast host Joe Rogan stood nearby.
HILARIOUS: President Trump: “[An individual] experienced an 80 to 90% reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety within one month. Can I have some please?”
— RedWave Press (@RedWavePress) April 18, 2026
*Crowd Laughs*
"I'll take whatever it takes. I don't have time to be depressed. You know, if you stay busy enough,… pic.twitter.com/MQELrNc3Sx
Trump cracks a joke about depression
The event centered on easing restrictions and encouraging further study of ibogaine, a psychoactive substance that has been discussed as a possible treatment for trauma, depression and anxiety.
As findings were mentioned during the ceremony, Donald Trump interrupted with humor.
Trump, while reading the benefit, said, “An individual experienced an 80 to 90% reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety within one month.”
He was quick to ask, “Can I have some, please?” prompting laughter in the room.
He then continued joking about his own approach to mental health and workload.
“I’ll take whatever it takes. I don’t have time to be depressed. You know, if you stay busy enough, maybe that works too. That’s what I do.”
HILARIOUS: President Trump: “We all respect Joe. He's a little bit more liberal than... that's okay. I have a lot of friends that are liberal.”
— RedWave Press (@RedWavePress) April 18, 2026
“Joe is an amazing guy and he wrote me a little note about this and I had it checked out. I didn't just do it. I had it checked out. I… pic.twitter.com/3lOcpzjqF8
Trump takes a dig at 'little more liberal' Joe Rogan
Trump also used the occasion to praise Rogan, who reportedly encouraged interest in the issue after discussing ibogaine publicly.
The president said Rogan had personally reached out to him. However, Trump also took subtle shots at Rogan's recent remarks against his administration.
“We all respect Joe. He’s a little bit more liberal than... that’s okay. I have a lot of friends that are liberal,” Trump said.
He added, “Joe is an amazing guy and he wrote me a little note about this and I had it checked out. I didn’t just do it. I had it checked out.”
HILARIOUS: President Trump: *Signs Executive Order* “That’s a good one. See that, Joe [Rogan]. Think Biden can do that?”
— RedWave Press (@RedWavePress) April 18, 2026
⁰*Crowd Laughs* pic.twitter.com/NRMPfiEkZo
Rogan played a visible role in the 2024 campaign cycle after offering Trump a late endorsement and interview that energized supporters online.
Since then, however, he has publicly criticized aspects of the administration, including foreign policy decisions related to Iran and some deportation measures.
On April 8, Rogan said that he felt 'politically homeless' under the Trump administration and even discussed how the sharp divide between Democrats and Republicans leaves many people feeling politically unrepresented within the two-party system.
