News and Commentary

Andrew Yang Deletes Tweets Saying Joe Rogan’s Not Racist After Left-Wing Backlash, Apologizes

   DailyWire.com
New York City Mayoral candidate Andrew Yang speaks to the media at Times Square about the recent mass shootings in Atlanta that left 8 dead, including 6 Asian Americans on March 17, 2021 in New York City.
David Dee Delgado/Getty Images

Former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang on Sunday posted tweets in support of popular podcast host Joe Rogan, but hours later deleted the posts over left-wing backlash and issued a Twitter thread apologizing for hurting people.

“I don’t think Joe Rogan is a racist – the man interacts with and works with black people literally all of the time,” Yang posted to Twitter.

“Do I know black friends of Joe’s who would swear by him? Yes I do,” he added.

Below is a screenshot of one of Yang’s tweets.

Screenshot via Twitter

Yang, who has appeared on Rogan’s podcast in the past, was met with left-wing anger, Twitchy outlined. Notably, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison replied to Yang, “Dude… seriously?! You joking right Andrew? Is that now the new defining line… working with folks?!”

Yang quickly deleted the two posts and issued an apology.

“I like to believe the best of people – especially if I’ve met and spent time with that person. Sometimes it makes me miss something. I think we should have the capacity to forgive people – whether a podcaster or a mayor – if they mess up. Maybe it’s because I mess up too,” the politician started the thread. “Racism is real, deep, corrosive and even lethal. I know that. I made a mistake in an earlier tweet tonight that downplayed these realities.”

“I deleted the tweet because it was wrong-headed. It also hurt people, which is never my intent. I’m sorry. I’m learning and appreciate those who reached out to express their feelings,” he continued. “I like to believe the work I’ve done these past years had the goal of uplifting everyone, particularly those on the outside looking in for any reason, be it poverty or marginalization or race. I’ve always wanted to help those with the least the most.”

“I’m going to keep doing all I can for a more fair, equitable, and just country. That means for everyone. Universal Basic Income, Democracy Reform and unity are how we get there,” Yang closed the thread.

Rogan on Saturday morning posted a video to Instagram addressing his use of the N-word on past podcast episodes. “There’s been a lot of s*** from the old episodes of the podcast that I wish I hadn’t said, or had said differently. This is my take on the worst of it,” he captioned the post. 

“I never used it to be racist, because I’m not racist,” Rogan said in the video. “But whenever you’re in a situation where you have to say, ‘I’m not racist,’ you f***ed up. And I clearly have f***ed up.”

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said Sunday he was not going to remove Rogan from the platform.

“While I strongly condemn what Joe has said and I agree with his decision to remove past episodes from our platform, I realize some will want more,” Ek said. “And I want to make one point very clear – I do not believe that silencing Joe is the answer. We should have clear lines around content and take action when they are crossed, but canceling voices is a slippery slope. Looking at the issue more broadly, it’s critical thinking and open debate that powers real and necessary progress.”

Related: Author Pushes To Cancel Joe Rogan For Quoting N-Word. Then Someone Looks Up Use Of N-Word In His Books.

Related: The Mob Keeps Coming To Silence Joe Rogan. But Joe Rogan Is Bigger Than The Mob, If He Recognizes It Or Not.

Related: What Joe Rogan Got Very Right In His Response To Spotify Drama — And The One Thing He Got Wrong

Got a tip worth investigating?

Your information could be the missing piece to an important story. Submit your tip today and make a difference.

Submit Tip
The Daily Wire   >  Read   >  Andrew Yang Deletes Tweets Saying Joe Rogan’s Not Racist After Left-Wing Backlash, Apologizes