Joe Rogan Claims Rap Has ‘Fallen Off the Charts’ Because the ‘USAID Got Defunded’

Billboard ^ | 8/19/2026 | Michael Saponara

[MinorityRepublican]

Podcast titan Joe Rogan believes that hip-hop’s relative lack of commercial success in 2026 can be attributed to the Trump administration’s defunding of the USAID.

Rogan made the claims about hip-hop during the Aug. 13 episode of The Joe Rogan Experience with comedian Shane Gillis, Mark Normand and Ari Shaffir.

Podcast titan Joe Rogan believes that hip-hop’s relative lack of commercial success in 2026 can be attributed to the Trump administration’s defunding of the USAID.

Rogan made the claims about hip-hop during the Aug. 13 episode of The Joe Rogan Experience with comedian Shane Gillis, Mark Normand and Ari Shaffir.

According to the Council on Foreign Relations, the U.S. Agency for International Development “has been a pillar of U.S. soft power and a source of foreign assistance for struggling countries, playing a leading role in coordinating the response to international emergencies such as the global food security crisis.” Per Reuters, the Trump administration announced in March 2025 that it had cut more than 80 percent of USAID-funded programs.

[vis a vis]

I have thought the same thing. ie, the rise of that talentless pig Jay-z. Plus he is big buds with Obama. hmmmm. Always thought that there was money flowing from the govt coffers to Jay-z and Obama would have been able to facilitate it.

[CaptainK]

It’s like the mafia. After enough Dons were killed the mafia lost its power.

[ealgeone]

I played bball in the late 70s. That was first exposure to rap and black culture up close.

[cloudmountain]

RAP isn't music. Music has MELODY.
Rap is talk, with rhythm. It's more like poetry...all talk, no tunes.

[Steve_Seattle1]

"Maybe all the rappers have been killed by now?"

One list I just checked mentions 70. Many were under 30, and all but two were under 40. And just think of the negative influence they've had on (mostly) young blacks.

[redfreedom]

BINGO!

[rktman]

Wrap it up!

[Paul R.]

I’m pretty much on the same page with you regarding music and Rap. Maybe not quite so harsh on Rap - there is maybe 2% with clever or funny lyrics, or an interesting narrative of some sort, but musically it’s almost always generic and dreadful too.

It’s so sad music like this doesn’t get any real exposure:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIGjQiW6hTE&list=RDwIGjQiW6hTE&start_radio=1

[Varsity Flight]

What rhymes with rap?

[ebshumidors]

Negro fatigue. Lol.

[ebshumidors]

I can listen to most Motown all day. I wonder what they think of rap

[ebshumidors]

I can listen to most Motown all day. I wonder what they think of rap

[ebshumidors]

I can listen to most Motown all day. I wonder what they think of rap

[dfwgator]

70s soul and funk were great too.

[Organic Panic]

Maybe rappers should stop killing each other...

[ebshumidors]

Imho not even close. But that’s my opinion.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

What does that have to do with Rap?

[TonyM]

Rap is just crap with the c removed!

[clearcarbon]

"RAP = LOW IQ MUSIC."

Syncopated profanity. Rhythmic cursing.

[tet68]

Is Rap dead?
Drive a stake through it’s heart just to be sure!!!