TLDR
- Joe Rogan’s name appears in Epstein files because he declined a meeting request in 2017
- Theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss attempted to connect Rogan and Epstein after appearing on the podcast
- Rogan immediately rejected the invitation, saying he researched Epstein online before refusing
- Email exchanges between Epstein and Krauss were released by the Justice Department in January 2026
- Rogan criticized people who become drawn to wealthy and powerful circles without personal ambition
Sources: The Daily Beast | Geo News | MMA Mania | MMA Fighting
Joe Rogan has explained why his name appears in recently released documents related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The podcaster’s inclusion in the files stems from his refusal to meet Epstein in 2017.
Speaking on Tuesday’s episode of The Joe Rogan Experience with guest Cheryl Hines, Rogan said he never considered meeting Epstein. “I’m in the files for not going,” he told Hines, who is married to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The connection attempt came through theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss, who had appeared as a guest on Rogan’s podcast. Email exchanges released by the Justice Department in January showed Epstein writing to Krauss after seeing him on Rogan’s show.
In September 2017, Epstein asked Krauss: “Can you introduce me.” Krauss replied that he would try but later informed Epstein he had not heard back from Rogan.
Rogan’s Immediate Rejection
Rogan described his reaction to the meeting request in explicit terms. “Jeffrey Epstein was trying to meet with me. And I was like, what? Like, no thanks,” he said on the podcast.
The podcaster said the meeting was never a possibility, especially after he researched Epstein online. “This was like 2017. One of my guests was trying to get me to meet him. I was like, b—h are you high? Like, what the f— are you talking about?”
Rogan suggested he would have only considered such a meeting if he were “a guy who is sucking up to the rich and powerful.” He explained that some people become drawn to circles of wealthy and powerful individuals even without personal ambitions.
Epstein’s networking strategy was “very clever,” according to Rogan. The financier brought together powerful and respected people, which gave him credibility with potential new contacts.
Context on Epstein Investigation
Epstein died by suicide in August 2019 while in federal custody in New York City. He was awaiting trial on new sex trafficking charges at the time of his death.
The financier had previously faced charges in 2006 related to solicitation of prostitution involving a 14-year-old girl in Palm Beach, Florida. That investigation led to additional allegations from underage girls.
Epstein pleaded guilty to two state charges in 2008 and served 18 months in a minimum security facility. Federal authorities charged him with sex trafficking of minors in 2019.
The Trump administration has released documents related to Epstein following passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act in November. The Justice Department released 3 million files in January 2026.
Rogan, who endorsed Donald Trump for president in 2024, has criticized the administration’s handling of the document releases. In July, he accused officials of “trying to gaslight” the public after they said no additional material would be released.
Hines agreed with Rogan’s assessment during their podcast conversation. She questioned why anyone would want to meet Epstein and suggested his gatherings were a way to manipulate people.
“That’s what Epstein was all about was manipulating people and holding it over their head,” Hines said.
Krauss appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience in March 2017, six months before Epstein’s meeting request. In his email to Krauss, Epstein wrote “I saw you did the Joe Rogan show, can you introduce me, I think he’s funny” and offered to arrange dinner with Woody Allen.
Krauss later told Epstein that Rogan had contacted him back and asked questions, but never responded after Krauss shared “good things” about Epstein.
