Mega podcast host Joe Rogan has hit back after ABC chairman Kim Williams described him as “deeply repulsive”.

Asked about the “Rogan effect” during a speech to the National Press Club on Wednesday, Williams admitted he was not one of the US podcaster’s billion viewers.

He also went on to lash the host of The Joe Rogan Experience, and similar content creators, for how they mine views.

“People like Mr Rogan prey on people’s vulnerabilities: They prey on fear, they prey on anxiety, they prey on all of the elements that contribute to uncertainty in society,” he said.

“They entrepreneur fantasy outcomes and conspiracy outcomes as being a normal part of social narrative – I personally find it deeply repulsive.

“To think that someone has such remarkable power in the United States is something that I look at in disbelief. I’m also absolutely in dismay that this can be a source of public entertainment, when it’s really treating the public as plunder for purposes that are really quite malevolent.”

On Thursday (Australian time), Rogan responded through X.

“LOL WUT,” he wrote, on a tweet of Williams’ speech.

LOL WUT https://t.co/xXJ9DlYr55

— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) November 27, 2024

Free speech warrior and Trump confidante Elon Musk – who owns X – also bought in. He shared Rogan’s tweet, adding: “From the head of Australian government-funded media, their Pravda,” likening Williams to the Russian Communist Party masthead.

Traditional media outlets across the world have been forced to confront their own weaknesses after alternative entertainment sources like Rogan and controversial Youtuber and boxer Jake Paul are believed to have swayed key voting demographics during the US election.

During his campaign, president-elect Donald Trump appeared on Rogan’s podcast, embraced Paul, and was gifted a Tesla Cybertruck and Rolex watch on-stream by internet personality Adin Ross.

Rogan and other similar podcasts are followed overwhelmingly by young men, a demographic that comprehensively voted for Trump.

Trump’s Democratic rival Kamala Harris also agreed to some non-traditional interviews, appearing on the Call Her Daddy podcast, which has a large female following.

But her decision not to appear with Rogan has been criticised by some, following her election loss.

Williams insisted institutional news outlets still had an integral role.

“We need to challenge Australians to think widely about the world and respond with delight and wonder,” he said.

Williams acknowledged a growing number of Australians were turning against traditional outlets because they felt their needs, stories and perspectives were not being heard.

As sources of misinformation and disinformation grow – thanks to bot farms, AI tools and controversial influencers such as Andrew Tate – Australia’s media landscape must evolve.

“[Australians] are hurting, their dissatisfaction needs to be taken more seriously – anger can’t be allowed to build up until it explodes,” Williams said.

He called on Australia to invest in the national broadcaster and the home-grown media industry, so they can give viewers the truth.

Investment in the ABC has continued to decline, even though it has produced a growing number of programs and services.

With more money, the broadcaster would be able to do more and gain the trust of more Australians, Williams said.

“The continuing existence of the ABC as a trusted source of the truth will help save our democracy from the populist damage going on elsewhere,” he said.

-with AAP