Tesla chief Elon Musk made an awkward joke about the ongoing Israel-Hamas war while appearing on Joe Rogan’s podcast. The billionaire was referring to the group that attacked Israel on October 7 and used the word “Hummus.” It’s unclear whether it was meant to be funny, but it seemed like it was.
Rogan is a massive fan of Musk, and the two have been friends for years; he even starred in an episode of his podcast that revolved around his life and work. The pair discussed various topics, from the latest Tesla models to SpaceX’s mission to Mars and Neuralink’s brain-computer interface to the Boring Company’s underground tunnels. They also talked about the comedian’s upcoming standup special and his recent rant against a California couple who bought a sex tape and then murdered the man who rented them the room.
But it was their discussion of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East that got heated. During the podcast, Rogan said he had no problem with Israel’s decision to bomb the headquarters of the Hamas militant organization because they were acting in self-defense. He then asked if the United States should cut off the supply of chickpeas to Gaza in response. “We should cut off their hummus!” said Rogan, which caused Musk to laugh and get more enraged.
The pair then moved to Twitter, which Musk is set to assume control of next month. Rogan praised Musk’s commitment to free speech but said he’s not sure the site will survive in its current form. He pointed to the recent ban of a conservative satire site, The Onion, as proof that the Internet is becoming more censored.
Despite the controversy, the pair had a great conversation and were all smiles. The podcast can be streamed in full below.
In other news, Tesla and SpaceX are partnering to deliver internet support to Gaza as the Israeli military expands its offensive in the region. The company’s X division will provide connectivity through satellites to international aid groups and other “recognized UN organizations” in the area. The effort is part of a larger initiative to deliver Internet to areas in need, according to an update shared on the Twitter account for the company’s private subsidiary.
Nathan Kamal is a Deputy Editor at GIANT FREAKIN ROBOT and a contributor to the New York Times and Los Angeles Times. He has also written for Wired, Vanity Fair, and more. He lives in Chicago with his wife, son, and dog. He enjoys reading books on history, science, and fiction while eating a bowl of hummus every other day. Follow him on Twitter @NathanKamal. 2019 The Week. All rights reserved.
