Joe Rogan, Rand Paul Begin Exodus From Big Tech In Mounting Backlash Over Censorship

Prominent personalities including podcast host Joe Rogan and Republican Sen. Rand Paul have announced plans to leave major social media platforms amid growing backlash over censorship.

Rogan announced late Sunday that he had started an account on alternative social media site Gettr, posting remarks critical of Twitter on the platform.

“Just in case shit over at Twitter gets even dumber, I’m here now as well,” Rogan wrote. “Rejoice!”

Rogan interviewed Dr. Robert Malone, a prominent virologist and vaccine skeptic, last week, one day after Twitter suspended Malone for posting alleged COVID-19 vaccine misinformation. Rogan’s move to Gettr occurred later in the same day as Twitter permanently banning Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, also for COVID-19 misinformation.

Greene, who has long maintained a presence on alternative social media sites including Gettr and Telegram, was also temporarily suspended from Facebook early Monday. Greene’s permanent ban earned Twitter the ire of many prominent Republicans, including Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy who said in a statement that “it is clear any speech that does not fit Big Tech’s orthodoxy gets muzzled.”