Joe Rogan Blasts DHS for Using Theo Von Clip Without Permission: “This Is Crazy”
According to people aware of the situation, the controversy began simmering well before the public ever saw the video. Insiders say the clip circulated quietly among political staffers for days, raising early concerns that the government might be misusing personal content. But once the footage finally hit the internet, the backlash erupted far faster — and far louder — than officials anticipated.
The Video That Sparked a Firestorm
The dispute centers on a promotional video released by the Department of Homeland Security under the Trump administration, which featured a clip of comedian and podcaster Theo Von. The problem? Von says the agency never asked for permission to use his likeness or his words.
On a recent episode of his podcast, Von explained that the situation left him feeling deeply unsettled. He described receiving a wave of hateful messages once the government-backed video began circulating, saying the entire experience made him “really scared.”
Rogan’s Response: “Crazy” Government Behavior
Joe Rogan addressed the controversy during an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, expressing both shock and sympathy.
“It’s crazy,” Rogan said, baffled that a federal agency would pull a casual, joking clip from a year-old conversation and repurpose it for political messaging without so much as a phone call.
He added that if any private company had done the same thing, Von would “absolutely” have grounds for legal action over unauthorized use of his content.
Legal Pressure Forces DHS to Back Down
As the situation escalated, Von hired an attorney to handle the matter. The legal pressure — combined with intense online criticism — ultimately prompted the Department of Homeland Security to remove the video entirely.
Conclusion
The incident has fueled broader conversations about how government agencies handle digital content in an age where creators rely heavily on control over their work.
Rogan and Von’s reactions reflect a growing unease about blurred boundaries between personal expression and political messaging — and raise important questions about consent, autonomy, and the responsible use of public figures’ material.