Videos circulated online of rallygoers leaving former President Trump’s event in Traverse City, Michigan, early Friday night after the Republican nominee filmed a podcast episode with Joe Rogan in Texas.
NBC News reporter Megan Lebowitz posted a video to X, formerly Twitter, of a “steady stream of people” leaving Trump’s rally at around 8:15 p.m. ET. Trump was scheduled to speak Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
CBS News’ Ed O’Keefe reported around 8:30 p.m. ET that a video message of Trump on his plane played for attendees at the rally where the former president explained that “he had to spend more time with Rogan because he needs to win.” The video added that Trump’s plane should land around 10 p.m. ET.
O’Keefe also captured videos of MAGA supporters leaving the venue following Trumps’ video message.
Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung posted on X at 7:19 p.m. ET, “EPIC: President Trump just wrapped a 3 HOUR episode of the Joe Rogan Podcast! We’re coming now, Michigan.” The post included a photo of Trump walking onto his plane.
Former U.S. President Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump sends a message on the jumbotron informing attendees that he is three hours late for a campaign rally in Traverse City, Michigan, on October 25, 2024. Several rallygoers left Trump’s event early on Friday after he was delayed.
JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images
Newsweek reached out to Trump’s campaign via email for additional information.
Trump sat down for an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience as part of his push to reach voters–namely, younger males–through nontraditional media circuits, such as streaming platforms and podcasts. Rogan’s show is consistently one of the most listened to on platforms like Spotify.
Vice President Kamala Harris was reportedly in talks with Rogan’s team about an interview but said on Thursday that the Democratic nominee will not be able to record an interview “because of the scheduling of this period” in the election.
Trump often takes the stage later than scheduled at his rallies, and his speeches last well over an hour. Harris’ campaign has poked fun at Trump in the past over supporters leaving his events early. In a post to social media last week, the Kamala HQ account shared a video that appeared to show at least two women leaving Trump’s event in Detroit early.
“Crowd members begin to leave in the middle of Trump’s exhausted and confused rally speech,” Harris’ campaign account posted.
Update 10/25/24, 9:30 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with additional information and background.
