Comedian Shane Gillis told Joe Rogan he didn't vote for Trump and nearly skipped the White House UFC event entirely — and the only people who seem surprised are the media types who thought they owned him after his cancellation.
Gillis survived the 2019 cancellation attempt over old podcast clips and rebuilt his career without groveling. Now the press wants to know whose side he's on. His refusal to pick a team — or perform for one — doesn't fit the narrative.
Appearing on "The Joe Rogan Experience" Thursday, Gillis said he canceled on the White House UFC Freedom 250 event four times, including the day before. "Day-of, I was like, 'I shouldn't fing go,'" Gillis said. Rogan, a UFC commentator, confirmed he had to talk Gillis into attending. What finally sold him was the sheer spectacle: "I saw they were doing fing dirt bikes on the front lawn and I was like, 'I gotta see this.'"
But Gillis drew a hard line at the VIP section. "F*** no," he said. "I knew photos were going to be taken. I stood outside in the rain. I'm like, 'I'm not getting my picture taken.'"
Us Weekly framed Gillis's comments as evidence of his "current distaste for the Trump administration," emphasizing his sarcasm and reluctance. The outlet quoted him saying, "It's a crazy time to be like 'I support this,'" with a sarcastic thumbs up. What Us Weekly buried: Gillis's explanation for why he was ever open to Trump in the first place — "This guy's gonna release the Epstein files and no more wars. I like that." Those are specific, measurable promises. When a citizen weighs a politician against his word and finds him wanting, that's not distaste. That's accountability.
Gillis added: "Also, still didn't vote for him. Not a big deal." Not a big deal — unless you're the press, which treats political independence as a defect in anyone who's ever been in their crosshairs.
The skepticism isn't exactly unwarranted. The same week Gillis's comments circulated, The Daily Beast reported on a growing exodus from Trump's inner circle. Deputy National Security Adviser Andy Baker is departing, the second senior official to quit in less than a week after Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced her exit. Both cited family — the classic Washington euphemism for "I'm out." Baker, who shaped Vice President JD Vance's foreign policy thinking and handled Iran negotiations, is heading to the private sector to join former National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien. Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson left in July for OnMessage Public Strategies. Cabinet Affairs Director Lea Bardon departed in April for The Sovereign Advisors. The revolving door spins while the Epstein files stay locked and the wars keep going.
Gillis saw what's coming. He didn't want the photo. He didn't want the VIP tent. He didn't vote for the guy. And he doesn't owe the press an explanation for any of it.
The question isn't who Shane Gillis voted for. The question is why the media thinks they're entitled to know — and what they plan to do to anyone who won't perform on cue.
