UFC commentator Joe Rogan is at the center of a raging Twitter controversy. The famed podcaster publicly challenged the scientist Peter Hotez to debate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. when the latter appeared on JRE and had some bold claims about vaccines. While the 2024 Democrat hopeful theorized vaccines caused autism in children, the vaccine scientist refuted the claims in a tweet. This tipped off the standup comic who offered to donate $100,000 to charity if the vaccinologist agreed to his terms.
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Since that initial push, several billionaires joined the fray and have upped the stakes. With the latest offer by entrepreneur Steve Kirsch, the challenge has beefed up to $600,000. Prominent figures such as Elon Musk are encouraging Hotez to not shy from the public debate. But Mark Cuban has slammed the UFC personnel for “bullying” the scientist.
A challenge by Joe Rogan ignites war on Twitter
The 55-year-old in his tweet offered the sum to Hotez to the charity of his choice if he expressed willingness to debate RFK Jr. on his show with no time limit.
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 10: Joe Rogan introduces fighters during the UFC 269 ceremonial weigh-in at MGM Grand Garden Arena on December 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Bill Ackman then declared to part away from $150,000 to add to the comedian’s wager so that “the public can hear an open debate on an important topic.”
While Hotez expressed a slight reluctance, it only added fuel to the firestorm as Elon Musk jibed at Hotez for being “afraid of a public debate.” Subsequently, Nicholas Mugalli pushed in another gigantic sum to bring the bid to $500,000.
Siding with Hotez, Mark Cuban called out Rogan for bullying. Further, he pointed out the color commentator and the Kennedy scion have a team to hold their side of the debate. Therefore, it afforded them an advantage over the scientist.
He penned, “Trying to bully Dr Hotez is ridiculous. You have producers that will prepare you and you get to control the conversation. @RobertKennedyJr also has a staff ready to prepare him, and these topics are what he talks about in every speech. You both do this on a daily basis Dr Hotez works every day to try to find ways to help people.”
Way to talk in generalities Joe. Not saying there aren't a lot of fucked up things about pharma. That's why we created Costplusdrugs.com. But to ignore that the same industry has saved who knows how many lives is bullshit and you know it. It's also disrespectful to all Show more
That would be a great suggestion if you could assure that the industry you were representing wasn’t completely captured by heartless monsters who have a history of some of the biggest criminal fines in human history because their deception has cost hundreds of thousands of people
However, the challenge is still up and running with Steve Kirsch, tipping the total amount to $600,000. In his tweet, he announced how Hotez or any other expert will shy away from debating the “misinformation superspreader”. He also lashed at them for being afraid of facts and data.
I just upped the @joerogan debate offer to $600K for Hotez to debate RFK Jr.
I will add $100,000 making it $600K! Debate him. Sadly, Hotez, nor any other "expert" will not debate any "misinformation superspreader." They are all afraid of things like facts and data.
Amidst the controversy, in another tweet by Hotez, he expressed his willingness to “come on [JRE] and clean the air”. It remains to be seen whether he will debate the issue against JKF Jr on JRE.
What do you think of this public challenge by Joe Rogan? Do you believe pitting Hotez and RFK Jr. against each other on JRE is a workable solution? Let us know in the comments below.
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