Joe Rogan’s name has surfaced in the latest massive release of Jeffrey Epstein documents—but not in the way some might expect. Newly unsealed emails reveal that the disgraced financier once made a failed attempt to connect with the podcast powerhouse, hoping to score an introduction to The Joe Rogan Experience. The effort, according to the records, went nowhere.
The 3.5 million–page document dump released by the Department of Justice on January 30, 2026, includes a 2017 email in which Epstein reached out to theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss. After noticing Krauss had appeared on Rogan’s podcast, Epstein casually asked if he could be introduced, writing that he thought Rogan was “funny.” The message appears to be part of a broader pattern in which Epstein sought access to high-profile figures across media, academia, and sports.
Krauss initially responded that he would reach out to Rogan. But in a follow-up email, he indicated the introduction would not happen, describing Rogan as “more timid” than expected. In context, that phrasing appears to signal that Rogan declined or showed no interest in engaging. There is no indication in the files that Rogan responded directly to Epstein or had any involvement beyond being the subject of the attempted introduction.
The newly released records also shed light on Epstein’s unusual interest in the UFC. Emails dating back to 2009 show he was subscribed to promotional materials and regularly ordered pay-per-view events. In one exchange, arrangements were made to stream a UFC fight on an iMac in his cabana. The files further detail an unsuccessful $17.5 million offer made on his behalf to purchase a private jet from former UFC owners Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta after the company’s $4.4 billion sale in 2016.
Epstein’s outreach efforts extended well beyond the podcast world. The documents reference attempts to build ties with prominent figures in major sports leagues, including NFL and NHL team owners. The pattern reinforces how aggressively he pursued proximity to celebrity, wealth, and influence—even after his criminal record was public knowledge.
For Rogan, the irony isn’t lost on fans. In late 2025, he publicly criticized delays in releasing the Epstein files, suggesting that political distractions were keeping the truth buried. Now, with his name appearing in the documents—albeit as someone Epstein unsuccessfully tried to contact—the revelations add another unexpected twist to the long-running saga.
