AUSTIN, TEXAS: Vaccine researcher Peter Hotez recently demanded $50 million from podcaster Joe Rogan after he criticized Hotez's advocacy for vaccines. Hotez disagreed with Rogan's stances, citing his preference for vitamins over vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rogan apologized for spreading misinformation in 2021, but the controversy returned in 2023 when he invited Robert F Kennedy Jr, who is opposed to mercury-containing vaccines.

Why did Peter Hotez demand $50 million from Joe Rogan?

In a since-deleted tweet, Hotez, a pediatrician, requested $50 million from Rogan to pursue his research into patent-free vaccines. He wrote, "Be serious Joe, that’s what you throw out for your hunting buddies on a weekend."

He continued, "A $50 million endowment (which You/Spotify/RFK Jr can easily afford), not for me but so we can continue making low-cost patent-free vaccines for the world’s poor. Preceded by RFK Jr’s public apology."

Although Hotez eventually deleted the tweet, it caught Rogan's attention. He responded by saying, "By the way, @PeterHotez , I saw this tweet that you deleted."

Peter Hotez's 2023 net worth

Hotez has a net worth of $35 million as of 2023, according to Opoyi. As mentioned, it is worth noting that his plea for a $50 million donation is intended for his vaccine study.

Rogan and Hotez exchanged tweets for quite some time. The debate became so heated that several celebrities, including Twitter CEO Elon Musk, became involved. Musk, who is friends with the 55-year-old comedian, sided with Rogan and asked Hotez to appear on 'JRE'.

While Dr Hotez promised to speak with Rogan, he has since clarified his position. When Hotez said he'd go on 'JRE', he apparently meant he'd do the show alone, rather than debate RFK Jr. So, despite all the hype and controversy, it does not appear that the podcast will be released anytime soon. Hotez has appeared twice on 'JRE', but is unlikely to return for a possible showdown with RFK Jr.