Dave Smith: Libertarian standup comedian, political commentator, and host of the 'Part of the Problem' podcast known for anti-interventionist foreign-policy views and high-profile debates with figures like Douglas Murray and Ben Shapiro.
What this episode covers
Joe Rogan and Dave Smith open on financial corruption (Howard Lutnick, insider trading, the post office) before settling into a long anti-war argument about a new US war with Iran, which Dave frames as fought on behalf of Israel and lied into by figures like Netanyahu and Tulsi Gabbard. They cover Gaza, immigration and ICE at airports, the killing of Iranian protesters, and the destruction of the legacy-media propaganda apparatus by podcasts and Twitter/X. They praise authentic commentators like Tim Dylan and lament Trump shattering his 2024 coalition over the war. The back third pivots to MMA: Conor McGregor, calf kicks, weight-cutting reform, the heavyweight division, and the UFC's new Paramount streaming deal and a planned White House fight card.
Recommended on this episode
UFC 3
EA Sports
“the last video game I got into was uh UFC 3, and I loved that game. I just loved it.”— Dave Smith
Trigonometry
Konstantin Kisin and Francis Foster
“I like Francis a lot, too. I think their show Trigonometry is one of the best shows.”— Joe Rogan
The Tim Dylan Show
Tim Dylan
“If you're not listening to his podcast and you want a rational but hilarious take on all the madness... this is one of the best podcasts about anything ever.”— Joe Rogan
Land Man
Taylor Sheridan
“Land Man. Yeah. Oh, yeah. I I watch land great show.”— Dave Smith
Also referenced (named, not recommended)
Postal
Running With Scissors
“There was a video game called Postal where you run around shooting people. It was in the I want to say the '9s.”— Joe Rogan
Adios America
Ann Coulter
“she had in her book, Adios America, she had I believe it was from Bayer Sterns... they had put a thing where like they put it between like 30 and 50 million”— Dave Smith
Neuro Energy and Focus Mints
Neuro
“it's neuros energy and focus mix... Neuro's energy and focus is powered by natural green tea, caffeine, althenanine for calm, focus”— Joe Rogan
Paramount Plus
Paramount
“you could try it out for two months for $2.99 a month and watch every UFC for $2.99 a month for two months. It's worth it.”— Joe Rogan
Big reveals from this episode
- Dave jokes he nearly retired off a hundreds-of-millions oil-price short that he timed wrong.
- Dave recounts Douglas Murray claiming Dave wouldn't dare talk MMA with Rogan because he's not an expert.
- Dave says he felt 'Trump-Witkoff negotiated' during his debate because the opponent attacked him instead of the issues.
- Dave reveals he refused a COVID debate with Sam Harris unless Harris first talked to Bret Weinstein.
- Dave reaffirms he endorsed Donald Trump in 2024 while remaining a harsh critic in both terms.
- Both argue the corporate-media propaganda apparatus has been 'completely destroyed' by podcasts and social media.
- Rogan only half-jokingly says he'd let an AI ('President Perplexity') run the country.
- Dave questions whether the UFC's new free-with-Paramount model makes business sense before Joe talks him around.
Worth remembering
- They agree the US Postal Service is one of the few non-corrupt government bodies, moving a letter cross-country for ~30 cents.
- The term 'going postal' came from a wave of postal-worker shootings; the video game Postal launched in 1997.
- Ann Coulter's 'Adios America' cited a Bear Stearns estimate of 30-50 million illegal immigrants in the US.
- A Quinnipiac poll found 54% of US voters oppose military action against Iran versus 39% supporting it.
- Time magazine reported as many as 30,000 Iranian protesters could have been killed on January 8-9, a figure it couldn't verify.
- The Sig Sauer P320 is described as notorious for accidental discharges, tied to a controversial police shooting.
- A former FBI analyst estimated up to 80% of pre-Musk Twitter accounts may have been artificial.
- DC reportedly hit 100 degrees on June 14, 2024, raising concerns about an outdoor White House UFC card.
- Paramount is investing roughly $7 billion into the UFC, ending pay-per-view in favor of streaming.
- Ilia Topuria's last three fights knocked out Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira.