Dems Hatch Multi-Million Dollar Plot to ‘Find the Next Joe Rogan,’ Build Left-Wing Army After Brutal Election Loss: Report

Following a difficult election cycle, Democratic strategists appear to be shifting their focus toward new media efforts. Reports suggest plans are underway to expand their digital presence in unconventional ways.

After their defeat in the 2024 presidential election, Democrats are launching an ambitious and costly effort to reshape their presence in online media. The plan centers around cultivating a new wave of liberal social media influencers—with the goal of finding someone who can match the cultural impact of podcast giant Joe Rogan.

According to a New York Times report, party strategists are urging wealthy Democratic donors to contribute tens of millions of dollars to help build what they describe as a “left-wing influencer army.” The idea is to compete more effectively with the cultural influence of Donald Trump, whose 2024 campaign thrived on popular podcasts and social media platforms. Critics, however, have called the plan a risky and potentially desperate attempt to buy cultural relevance, pointing out that influential platforms like Rogan’s emerged organically—not through political funding.

To lead this push, a group of liberal operatives in Washington has created a new for-profit media company called AND Media—short for “Achieve Narrative Dominance.” The company aims to financially support progressive influencers and help them produce content that resonates with wider online audiences. AND Media is targeting $45 million in funding over four years and has already raised $7 million. Its approach includes building a talent agency and signing deals with what it calls “flagship creators.”

Other initiatives are following suit. Project Bullhorn, for instance, is seeking $35 million in its first year to support liberal content creators. The proposal was presented to potential donors during a recent meeting attended by Senator Cory Booker. Additional efforts like Channel Zero and Double Tap Democracy are also mobilizing resources to support influencers, including those who aren’t explicitly political but still reach key audiences.

These media investments come as Democrats face growing concerns about their messaging and identity. Polls show the party’s approval ratings have declined significantly in 2025, with one Fox News poll showing favorability at just 41 percent. In contrast, Trump’s 2024 campaign successfully leveraged appearances on popular shows like The Joe Rogan Experience to win over younger male voters—53 percent of whom supported him over Kamala Harris, according to a November Fox News voter survey.

Joe Rogan himself has commented on Democrats’ efforts to find a progressive version of his show. On a recent episode, he noted that he used to align with Democrats, but felt the party had moved away from him. “They had me, I was on their side,” he said, questioning the authenticity of trying to engineer a version of his success through funding.

Critics of the Democratic strategy, including Fox News host Harold Ford Jr., argue that influence can’t simply be manufactured. He emphasized that successful figures like Rogan and Trump connect with people by genuinely understanding their views and listening without judgment. Ford warned that spending millions won’t create authenticity—and that Democrats risk missing the core of what makes voices like Rogan’s resonate.

White House deputy press secretary Harrison Fields also responded, saying Democrats are missing the point. He argued that instead of trying to replicate Rogan, they should focus on moving away from extreme positions and reconnecting with broader audiences.

Overall, Democrats are making a big bet on influencers to help shift their fortunes, but whether money can buy meaningful cultural traction remains to be seen.

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