The MeidasTouch Podcast has officially overtaken The Joe Rogan Experience to become the number one podcast on YouTube in the United States. This marks the first time Joe Rogan has been dethroned from the top spot on the platform’s podcast rankings. Known for its outspoken anti-Trump stance, MeidasTouch achieved this milestone after months of sharply criticizing Donald Trump’s actions and rhetoric.
Despite Rogan’s enormous 20.1 million YouTube subscribers, the MeidasTouch Podcast, with a comparatively modest 5.2 million subscribers, managed to surpass him in overall podcast rankings. The show’s relentless focus on Trump’s controversies, especially his connections to Jeffrey Epstein, helped drive its surge in popularity during July.
YouTube’s latest podcast rankings revealed that other shows also climbed into the top ten, including progressive commentator Brian Tyler Cohen and conservative podcaster Sean Ryan. However, the major headline remains MeidasTouch surpassing Rogan, a feat previously thought unlikely given Rogan’s dominance on the platform.
Ben Meiselas, one of the co-founders of MeidasTouch, expressed gratitude toward their growing audience. He stated that their success is not merely about numbers but about building a movement centered on truth and accountability. The Meiselas brothers credit their audience for helping amplify their mission during a critical political period.
While MeidasTouch claimed the top spot on YouTube, Joe Rogan still holds his position as the number one podcaster on Spotify. On the audio streaming platform’s U.S. charts, MeidasTouch is ranked 73rd, highlighting the difference in audience behavior across platforms. Apple Podcasts shows a similar trend, where Rogan sits in second place, behind ABC News’ Cold Blooded: Mystery in Alaska, while MeidasTouch ranks 17th.
According to data from podcast analytics platform Podscribe, MeidasTouch was the most downloaded podcast from June 7 to July 7. During this period, the show amassed 124 million views, while Rogan’s show recorded 39.2 million. These figures underline a significant shift in audience engagement on YouTube.
The MeidasTouch Podcast is produced by brothers Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas. They noted that their podcast’s popularity skyrocketed after Trump returned to the White House in January. Their episodes have focused intensely on holding Trump accountable for his actions and exposing misinformation, which resonates with a growing segment of politically active viewers.
MeidasTouch originally started as a super PAC in March 2020, formed with the sole aim of preventing Trump from winning re-election. Although the PAC later changed its name to Democracy Defense Action, the MeidasTouch Network continued to evolve as a full-fledged media organization committed to promoting pro-democracy content.
Brett Meiselas emphasized that their rise in the podcast world is not an accident. He stated that the American public is rejecting the narrative that MAGA ideology is mainstream. According to him, their growing audience reflects a broader demand for content that challenges authoritarianism and misinformation.
This shift in podcast rankings also reflects changes in the broader media landscape. Figures like Adin Ross, Lex Fridman, and Ben Shapiro, who previously leaned into Trump’s political narrative, are now navigating a more fragmented audience base. Many of these hosts had featured Trump in attempts to court the “bro vote” ahead of the 2024 election but are now seen distancing themselves.
Joe Rogan himself has become more vocal in his criticism of Trump. Recently, Rogan accused Trump of gaslighting the public over his involvement in the Epstein case. He referred to Trump’s evasive answers and lack of transparency as a clear line that he would not cross, signaling a noticeable break in their once-sympathetic relationship.
The MeidasTouch victory signals a new era in podcasting where pro-democracy voices are no longer niche but mainstream contenders. Their rise to the top of YouTube’s rankings is a significant indicator of shifting audience preferences, especially as the political landscape in America grows more polarized.
