Trump’s Podcast Fiasco: Thousands of Supporters Left Shivering in the Cold for Hours

05:12 PM

Saturday, October 26, 2024

Michigan (USA) – (AP)

Many supporters of US presidential candidate Donald Trump left a campaign rally in Michigan ahead of his arrival after waiting in the cold for three hours while the former president recorded an interview for one of their popular podcasts.

Trump apologized to the rest of the people who were waiting for him on the tarmac at an airport in the state and blamed his delay on an interview he had with Joe Rogan, America’s most famous podcast host and influential voice. Young male voters whom Trump is courting.

The interview, recorded in Austin, Texas, aired Friday evening and lasted three hours, in which Trump answered Rogan’s questions as well as telling many of his familiar stories from his campaign rallies and other dialogue interviews.

Trump’s interview with Rogan was another opportunity for the Republican candidate to highlight the stereotypical masculine behavior that has dominated much of his 2024 campaign, and Trump has made masculinity a major theme of his campaign, appearing on podcasts aimed at young male voters.

He criticized federal support aimed at vastly expanding the U.S. semiconductor industry, one of President Joe Biden’s biggest achievements, and chip makers credited the legislation with supporting billions of dollars in new factories.

He also criticized Taiwan, an autonomous island democracy that has long been tied to the United States.

“You know, Taiwan stole our chip business,” Trump told Rogan, “well they want us to protect them. They don’t pay for our protection, you know.”

Trump described Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose government considers Taiwan a renegade province, “a smart man whether you like him or not.”