Trump's stunning four-word response to Joe Rogan after podcaster feared 'terrorist attack' at White House UFC event

By JON MICHAEL RAASCH, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT Published: 21:55, 23 June 2026 | Updated: 21:55, 23 June 2026 The world's most famous podcaster was shocked at what the President had just told him.  During the White House UFC fight earlier this month, Joe Rogan revealed he was in disbelief after a brief chat with Donald Trump. 'I said to Trump ... "I hope we don’t die in a terrorist attack,"' Rogan said in a recent podcast episode with UFC champion Justin Gaethje and trainer Trevor Wittman.  'He goes, "We got to go somehow."' Trump's callous response caught the podcaster off guard.  Laughing, Rogan recounted his response: 'I go, "What the f***, dude?"'  Rogan's comment came in response to Wittman expressing his own security concerns about the White House event.  'I was honestly really nervous, Joe,' the trainer said. 'I was like, "Dude ... being around everybody and something could happen."' Podcaster Joe Rogan (R) on a recent episode with UFC champion Justin Gaethje (L) remarked on how he told Trump he was nervous about a potential plot to target the White House UFC event 'We got to go somehow,' Rogan recounted Trump saying, prompting laughs from the podcaster It turns out their concerns were not unwarranted.  The Department of Justice announced two days after the UFC event that five men had been arrested and charged in a plot to shoot and drone US officials and billionaires at the ritzy event.  The plot involved a group chat with over 20 participants that outlined specific operational plans to carry out the planned mass-casualty incident.  Some involved in the plot would fly explosive-laden drones to the north of the White House to scare guests and prompt them to run south. Then, snipers in predetermined locations would try to target VIP targets, like billionaires and top US officials.  The plan was thwarted after a federal agent learned of the group's terrifying plan.  Gaethje, who won the main bout that evening at the White House, taking down Ilia Topuria in the fourth round, was opening up about the surreal experience he had walking out of the executive mansion and into the octagon, noting he was ready for danger.  'F*** it,' Gaethje said. 'If I get taken out in the middle of the cage, how f***ing legendary would that be?' Trump speaks with Joe Rogan before signing an Executive Order accelerating medical treatments for serious mental illness, Saturday, April 18, 2026 Rogan is seen at the conclusion of the 'UFC Freedom 250' mixed martial arts event on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington 'Everyone will remember it for the rest of eternity,' the fighter joked. Rogan shot back: 'Better the way it went ... way better.'  The White House was contacted for comment.   No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.