‘You got to go’: Joe Rogan reveals he convinced hesitant comics to attend Trump's WH UFC fight

WASHINGTON, DC: Podcast host Joe Rogan says he personally persuaded several reluctant comedians to attend President Donald Trump's White House UFC event, even as some attendees faced criticism from fans over their appearance at the spectacle.

The backlash has centered on whether showing up amounted to a political statement. Rogan pushed back on that argument while acknowledging he played a role in getting some comics to go.

Joe Rogan says several comedians considered skipping event 

Speaking on the latest episode of his 'The Joe Rogan Experience' podcast, the comedian and UFC color commentator revealed that several comedian friends initially considered skipping the event before he intervened.

"I talked a bunch of people into going that didn't want to," Rogan said. 

Among them was comedian Shane Gillis, whom Rogan said was hesitant about attending. "Shane Gillis was thinking about not going. I'm like, bro, you got to go. It's going to be epic. It's going to be a once-ever thing," he said.

Rogan continued by describing the White House fight as something unprecedented.

"It's never happened before. It's probably never going to happen again," he said.

Gillis ultimately attended the June 14 event alongside other comedians, including Tony Hinchcliffe.

Nate Bargatze faces fan criticism over UFC Freedom 250 attendance

While Gillis and Hinchcliffe drew attention for attending, the comedian Nate Bargatze became a particular target of criticism from some anti-Trump fans.

The previously apolitical comic reportedly received a barrage of disappointed messages after appearing at the event.

According to reports, sources stated Bargatze's attendance was "not political."

Rogan echoed that sentiment while discussing the reaction to entertainers who showed up.

"So many people are trying to make it a partisan thing. They're mad at people for being there. Like, 'Oh, you support Trump,'" he said.

Joe Rogan rejects notion that attending White House UFC fight was political

Rogan argued that attending the UFC event should not automatically be interpreted as support for Trump's policies.

"It's a f***ing fight at the White House," he said. "Doesn't mean you endorse foreign policy. Like, shut the f*** up." 

The podcaster also praised the event itself, calling the matchup between Justin Gaethje and Ilia Topuria memorable.

Watching the fighters face off "was amazing" and "one of the coolest things I've ever seen in my life," Rogan said.

Joe Rogan enters the octagon during the UFC 225: Whittaker v Romero 2 event at the United Center on June 9, 2018, in Chicago, Illinois (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

However, Rogan did not address the moment when fighter Josh Hokit made a controversial remark about former first lady Michelle Obama after winning his fight.

According to reports, Trump appeared to show a "half-smile" following the comment, and the White House did not formally address the remark.

Of the entertainers who attended, Gillis was the only one reported to have publicly reacted to the incident, saying he "didn't love" the comments.

Bargatze's representative reportedly did not respond when asked whether the comedian had a statement regarding the remark.