Podcasting giant and comedian Joe Rogan is challenging vaccine scientist and professor Peter Hotez to debate Democratic nominee hopeful Robert Kennedy Jr. about their vaccine beliefs.
The challenge came after Hotez shared his thoughts on Rogan’s podcast with RFK Jr. from earlier this month, saying that he received “online attacks” after the episode aired because of his name being dropped along with what he called “misinformation.”
“It’s clear many actually believe this nonsense,” Hotez tweeted.
Kennedy has never been shy about his doubts when it comes to vaccines. During his podcast with Rogan, the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy alluded to a connection between vaccines and autism, as well as other side effects.
After the episode aired, Hotez claimed that Spotify, which hosts Rogan’s podcast, has stopped trying to police “Joe Rogan’s Vaccine Misinformation.”
Never being someone who backs down from a fight, Rogan responded to the scientist, saying he would put up money to see Hotez call out RFK Jr. on his show.
“Peter, if you claim what RFKjr is saying is ‘misinformation’ I am offering you $100,000.00 to the charity of your choice if you’re willing to debate him on my show with no time limit,” Rogan tweeted.
Kennedy responded to Hotez’s comments as well, asking him to have the discussion with him.
“Peter. Let’s finally have the respectful, congenial, informative debate that the American people deserve,” Kennedy tweeted.
Since Rogan responded to the tweet, several others have said they would want to see the debate happen, with some even offering to put up the money alongside Rogan, including internet personality Andrew Tate, Bill Ackman, Steve Kirsch, and more.
In 2020, Hotez was a guest on Rogan’s show, during which the podcast host pressed him about his poor diet and vaccine beliefs.
Hotez responded to Rogan’s challenge, saying he could call him any time, noting that he has his cell number.
But Rogan didn’t appear to like that response, calling it a “non answer” and saying that he was giving Hotez an opportunity to set the record straight.
“If you’re really serious about what you stand for, you now have a massive opportunity for a debate that will reach the largest audience a discussion like this has ever had,” Rogan tweeted. “If you think someone else is better qualified, suggest that person.”
Hotez responded to Rogan, saying it was a fact “that 200,000 unvaccinated Americans needlessly perished during our awful delta/BA.1 Covid waves” because they “fell victims to vaccine disinformation.”
“I’m open to a number of different options, but to be pressured to give you an answer on Twitter, now, with a ‘take it or leave it’ demand that’s not how I work,” Hotez responded. “Honestly, I don’t even think that would be in your best interests.”
Rogan continued, getting into it with several other high-profile people, including Mark Cuban and Tom Nichols. However, Elon Musk and others backed Rogan, saying Hotez was scared, though the scientist hasn’t seemed to agree.
Related
Related
