DONALD Trump can clinch key support in his Joe Rogan interview, but only if he goes hard on issues voters care about most, a political strategist says.
Trump and rival Kamala Harris have ushered in the era of podcast campaigning with laid-back appearances on top-rating shows, but the fireside chats need to prove more than just likeability.
Former President Donald Trump, seen at a Michigan campaign event, could clinch key support on his podcast with Joe Rogan, a political expert has said[/caption]
Rogan has one of the most popular shows in the US, and Trump needs to use the opportunity to go hard on issues most important to his voters, Matt Terrill said[/caption]
The strategist said Vice President Kamala Harris, seen at an event on October 18, has failed to stand out in her media appearances[/caption]
As November 5 approaches, Trump and Harris are heating up their campaign schedules and fiercely fighting for votes in battleground states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.
They’re calling on celebrity allies like tech giant Elon Musk, who hosted town halls in support of Trump, and singer Bruce Springsteen, who’s hosting concerts with former President Obama, to urge supporters to head to the polls.
On Friday, Trump hopes to get an edge by sitting down with Rogan for the Joe Rogan Experience, one of the most popular podcasts in America.
Rogan and Trump have a shaky history, as the podcaster has slammed the former president for being a “crazy sociopath” in September 2023.
Just weeks ago, the former UFC fighter endorsed Robert F Kennedy Jr. before the political scion dropped out and joined Trump’s efforts.
However, Rogan has still defended Trump over his democratic rivals, saying he’d rather vote red over the more progressive candidates.
To make the most of the interview, Trump shouldn’t just fall into Rogan’s casual style, and needs to show he’s serious about the issues plaguing Americans, GOP strategist Matt Terrill exclusively told The U.S. Sun.
Terrill, who served as chief of staff on Marco Rubio’s 2016 presidential campaign, said that at this point in the season, voters need to be galvanized by the candidate who will fight for what’s most important.
For Trump, this means defending claims he will secure the border and crackdown on illegal immigration.
According to Terrill, the election is “no longer about getting the message out. It’s about turnout.”
“It comes down to turning out base of supporters and winning over any voters left who may be on the fence,” he said.
One of the strengths of podcast appearances is how candidates can humanize themselves through casual conversation.
However, Trump shouldn’t rely on conveying authenticity and should instead fire off his plan to tackle the economy, inflation, and border security,” Terrill said.
“What really matters at the end of the day is what you’re saying,” he said.
HARRIS PLAYS CATCHUP
In a previous conversation with The U.S. Sun, Terrill blasted Harris for failing to effectively distinguish herself from President Joe Biden in her raft of media appearances.
In recent days, Harris has amped up her criticisms of Trump, even boldly calling him a “fascist” in a CNN-hosted town hall on Wednesday.
When asked about her thoughts on suffering Palestinians in Gaza, she bizarrely answered, “For many people who care about this issue, they also care about bringing down the price of groceries.
“They also care about our democracy and not having a president of the United States who admires dictators and is a fascist,” she said in an obvious U-turn.
Terrill says Harris must stand out as a powerful, independent presence and not just rely on Biden’s platform or Trump’s inflammatory presence.
Trump’s main policy points
- Implementing tax cuts, including no tax on tips
- Protecting Social Security and Medicare – Trump said ‘incomes will skyrocket and the middle class will prosper like never before’
- Protecting borders – He pledged to end the ‘border nightmare.’ That means two things on day one – ‘Drill baby Drill,’ as he said, and close the borders
- Finishing building the wall
- Keeping our ‘sons and daughters safe’
- Replenishing the military and building a military ‘dome’ – Trump insisted he could stop wars with just a phone call and said no military would be able to penetrate the USA if he came into office
- Ending the war in Ukraine and imposing tariffs on Iran
- Vowing to “beat” China
- Working to decrease prices and ease inflation
- Bringing down the cost of energy
- Making cities ‘safe, clean and beautiful’ again
- Making it possible for Americans to buy gas-run cars by ending the electric vehicle mandate on the first day of his presidency
“When you’re the incumbent, you own the news of the day and own the record on those issues,” he said.
“If this is a change election, Harris has to find a way, and it’s a challenge for her to talk about how she will be different.”
Harris refused a spot on Joe Rogan’s podcast and will not debate Trump again, as the former president shot down the idea.
This means that each media appearance is a key opportunity to share her vision for the country.
“Both these candidates need to continue to find ways to break through to voters,” he said.
NECK AND NECK
Harris and Trump are in a dead heat race, each earning 47% approval in a shocking poll by The New York Times and Siena College.
Harris at first had a slight lead thanks to the surge of energy from Biden’s last-minute stepdown, but two assassination attempts and dozens of rallies have kept Trump standing firm in America’s eye.
Though she won’t be on Rogan, the vice president is pulling out all the stops Friday evening as she’s set to take the stage with Beyoncé in Houston, Texas.
Beyoncé will perform at a rally in the Republican stronghold and support Democratic candidate Representative Colin Allred who is challenging incumbent Senator Ted Cruz.
Meanwhile, after recording with Rogan, Trump will head to Michigan for a rally.
It’s unclear when the episode will be released Friday.
