Joe Rogan Claims Rap Has ‘Fallen Off the Charts’ Because the ‘USAID Got Defunded’
Drake delivered hip-hop's only No. 1 hit atop the Billboard Hot 100 in 2026, but there's no evidence linking USAID and rap funding.
Podcast host Joe Rogan suggested that hip-hop's relative decline in popularity in 2026 can be linked to the Trump administration's decision to cut funding to USAID. This claim was made during the Aug. 13 episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, which featured guests Shane Gillis, Mark Normand and Ari Shaffir. Rogan stated, "The weird thing is how rap’s fallen off the charts.
It’s because USAID got defunded." He added that USAID, which is known for funding radical, anti-government rappers overseas, had been involved in regime change efforts via its funding. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, USAID has played a significant role in international development and emergency response. However, the Trump administration cut more than 80 percent of USAID-funded programs in March 2025.
There is no concrete evidence connecting USAID's funding to the rap music industry, yet this theory has gained traction due to the recent dominance of R&B/hip-hop on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. R&B/hip-hop remains the most consumed music category, but its market share has declined over the years. Only Drake's music has managed to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2026, with his song "Janice STFU" and album ICEMAN.
Written by urgent.news from Billboard's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
