In a surprising revelation on his popular podcast, Joe Rogan left Cheryl Hines momentarily puzzled as he disclosed his connection to the infamous Jeffrey Epstein files. The conversation unfolded during Tuesday's episode, where Rogan, the host of "The Joe Rogan Experience," admitted to Hines—known for her role in "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and as the wife of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—that his name appears in the documents related to the disgraced financier.
Rogan's Clarification on Epstein Files Mention
Rogan stated, "I'm in the files for not going," prompting a confused "Huh?" from Hines. He quickly elaborated, explaining that Jeffrey Epstein had attempted to arrange a meeting with him. "Yeah, I'm in the files... because Jeffrey Epstein was trying to meet with me," Rogan said, adding his initial reaction was one of disbelief: "And I was like WHAT."
Hines responded by asking if he was relieved he didn't go, to which Rogan affirmed, "Yeah, but I would've never went anyway. It's not even a possibility that I would've ever went, especially after I Googled him." He recounted that in 2017, a former guest on his show had offered to introduce him to Epstein, leading Rogan to dismiss the idea outright with a blunt retort: "I was like, 'Bitch, are you high?' What the fuck are you talking about?"
Identifying the Potential Intermediary
Although Rogan did not name the guest, recently released Justice Department emails suggest theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss may have been involved. Krauss appeared on Rogan's podcast in March 2017, and six months later, Epstein emailed him about the introduction. In the correspondence, Epstein wrote, "I saw you did the Joe Rogan show, can you introduce me, I think he's funny," with spelling errors in the original.
Epstein seemingly tried to incentivize the meeting in a follow-up email that same day, mentioning, "if he wants, Rogan can have dinner with Woody on Friday," likely referring to director Woody Allen, who has been associated with Epstein. Krauss replied a day later, promising to reach out to Rogan, noting he had contact information for Rogan or his producers in Los Angeles.
Krauss followed through, as evidenced by another email a few days later where he updated Epstein: "He contacted me back... asked me some questions about you... I told him good things... still haven't heard back." This indicates Rogan was approached but ultimately did not engage with Epstein's overtures.
Broader Context of Celebrities in Epstein Files
Rogan's admission adds to a growing list of public figures who have found their names in the Epstein files. For instance, comedian Jon Stewart recently mentioned on "The Daily Show" that he is also referenced, though similarly, his involvement was limited to being mentioned in email exchanges without direct interaction with Epstein. Stewart highlighted this to preempt speculation, mirroring Rogan's experience of being tangentially linked through correspondence.
The episode underscores the ongoing public fascination with the Epstein case, as more details emerge from released documents. Rogan's candid discussion with Hines not only clarifies his own stance but also sheds light on the mechanisms Epstein used to network with high-profile individuals, often through intermediaries like Krauss.
This revelation has sparked discussions online about the extent of Epstein's connections and the ethical implications for those approached. As the story develops, it remains a poignant example of how even indirect mentions in such files can generate significant media attention and public curiosity.
