Historian Responds to Joe Rogan’s Criticism as “Worst Ever Guest” and Clarifies Podcast Experience

The archaeologists Joe Rogan deemed his ‘worst guest’ has broken his silence on the backlash he faced, saying the podcaster was out to ruin his reputation. 

Archaeologist Dr Zahi Hawass joined Rogan on May 13 to discuss the mysteries of ancient Egypt, but the former Minister of Antiquities gave dismissive responses, continually interrupted and answered nearly every question with ‘it’s in my book.’

The combative discussion led Rogan to saying Dr Hawass was ‘the worst podcast he has ever done,’ calling him ‘closed-minded’ and a gatekeeper of all the knowledge about Egypt.

Dr Hawass has now hit back at the claims, saying Rogan had an agenda to undermine his credibility.

Speaking on an Egyptian talkshow this week, Dr Hawass said Rogan skewed towards topics ‘like Atlantis and aliens’, ideas he has long dismissed as pseudoscience.

‘I spent 25 years holding debates against people like Graham Hancock, Robert Bauval and John Anthony West, who argued that the pyramids and the Sphinx were built 15,000 years ago by people from Atlantis,’ Dr Hawass said. 

‘Thank God I stood up against their ideas, not just in Egyptian newspapers but internationally as well. I told Rogan I have nothing to do with these matters.’ 

The original podcast between Joe and Dr Hawass exploded when Rogan called a discovery beneath the Giza pyramids ‘fascinating,’ while Dr Hawass quickly dismissed it as ‘bulls***.’

Dr Zahi Hawass has hit back on criticism he received after speaking on Joe Rogan’s podcast. The archaeologists questioned how Rogan did not read his book before the show

In March, a team of Italian researchers released satellite images that appeared to reveal massive vertical shafts stretching more than 2,000 feet under the Khafre pyramid, one of the three ancient structures at Giza.

During the podcast with Dr Hawass, Rogan asked about evidence for pyramid construction tools and other findings.

But instead of answering directly, Dr Hawass repeatedly redirected him to his book and interrupted follow-up questions, frustrating many listeners.

‘Are there photos of this online?’ Rogan asked. ‘Yes, in my book,’ the archaeologist replied.

‘How can this man, Joe Rogan, not read my book before I arrived?’ Dr Hawass asked on Tuesday, saying his book is the only book in the world written about Giza with the utmost skill. How can he not have read it?’

Dr Hawass also cut off Rogan repeatedly on the podcast, something many users on X pointed out as a recurring pattern.

‘He literally couldn’t let Joe finish one sentence,’ one user posted.

‘Why are they attacking me? Because I held my own against Joe Rogan? Because I was confident?’ Dr Hawass said as reported on by The National.

The combative discussion led Rogan to confirming Dr Hawass was ‘the worst podcast he has ever done,’ calling him ‘closed-minded’ and a gatekeeper of all the knowledge about Egypt 

‘Why would my confidence offend him? Did they even understand what our conversation was about? Did they even understand what this man was really saying?’ 

The podcast episode went viral on X, with many users criticizing Dr Hawass as ‘a failure.’ 

One Joe Rogan fan account posted: ‘Zahi Hawass is full of it. Joe Rogan did a great job exposing him.’

The controversy centers on claims by Corrado Malanga with the University of Pisa, Filippo Biondi from the University of Strathclyde, and Egyptologist Armando Mei, who shared satellite images allegedly showing vertical shafts beneath the Khafre pyramid. 

Rogan, however, called the images ‘fascinating,’ pointing to how the researchers used tomographic radar to map interior structures, including the Tomb of Osiris (pictured)  

Their work has not yet been peer-reviewed or published in a scientific journal.

Rogan, however, pointed to how the researchers used their technology to map the interior structures of the Tomb of Osiris.

When Rogan mentioned the scans of the Tomb of Osiris, Dr Hawass interrupted, saying, ‘I discovered it.’

The Osiris Shaft, an ancient underground burial complex in Giza, is known for its three levels, including an entry chamber, a room with sarcophagi and a flooded subterranean chamber believed to be a symbolic tomb of Osiris.

‘I know, I understand, you found it,’ Rogan responded. ‘But they also showed that it exists using the same technique.’

Rogan tried once more to clarify that while Hawass discovered the tomb, the satellite imaging used by the scientists appeared to confirm and visualize known structures.

Dr Hawass dismissed the team’s findings as false, even as Rogan pointed out that their techniques appear to verify discoveries Hawass himself made. 

The archaeologist pushed back on the claims, arguing that the radar technology cannot penetrate beneath the pyramid to the extent the Italian researchers suggest.

Armando Mei (center) and his team, which includes Corrado Malanga (right) and Filippo Biondi (left), took the world by storm in March when they discovered shafts and chambers more than 2,000 feet below the surface.

The Italian researchers shared images in March, showing what could be massive shafts below the pyramids 

The team also speculated that there could be a hidden city beneath the pyramids. Pictured is a scan showing unknown structures 

He stated that it only captured data about 50 feet below the Tomb of Osiris.

‘Right, but it’s showing that at least for 50 feet, the imaging is accurate,’ Rogan responded. ‘So what makes you believe those scientists over the team from Italy?’

Dr Hawass replied that the scientists he consulted had told him the technology was unreliable.

‘Well, these are scientists as well,’ said Rogan.

Dr Hawass added that he has not spoke with the Italian researchers, but Biondi told DailyMail.com that he and his team sent an official inquiry to the Egyptian Ministry of Culture some time ago, but never received a response.

Rogan pressed Dr Hawass on why he so firmly dismissed the satellite-based findings.

‘So why are you dismissing it?’ Rogan asked. ‘I understand they published their findings, and you’re saying scientists told you it’s not true,  but scientists are wrong all the time, especially biased ones.’

The archaeologists remained adamant, saying: ‘They are the top scientists in the world. I have to believe them, not the Italians.’