This combination photo shows Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, left, during a press conference on October 25, 2024 in Austin, Texas, and Joe Rogan at a UFC event on August 18, 2023 in Boston. | Photo credit: AP

Joe Rogan, the influential host of one of the world's leading podcasts, voiced his last-minute support for Republican candidate Donald Trump on Monday (November 4, 2024), on the eve of a historically close US presidential election.

Mr. Rogan made the recommendation while promoting the latest episode of his wildly popular show “The Joe Rogan Experience,” which featured an interview with billionaire Trump supporter Elon Musk.

Mr. Musk “makes what I think is the most compelling pro-Trump argument you will ever hear, and I agree with him on every level,” Rogan wrote on social media.

“For the record, yes, this is an endorsement of Trump.”

Mr. Rogan, a former mixed martial arts commentator, is known for his masculine, combative and anti-politically correct style and his podcast is particularly popular among men.

Male voters are a key group for Mr. Trump. Last month, he appeared on Rogan's show for a nearly three-hour interview.

Mr Trump, who is running neck-and-neck with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the polls ahead of Tuesday's election, was quick to welcome the news.

“It just came through the news that Joe Rogan just endorsed me,” Trump said at a rally in Pittsburgh, in the key swing state of Pennsylvania.

“He is not a person who advertises, but he made an advertisement. So I just want to thank Joe Rogan – that’s fantastic,” Trump said.

Ms. Harris has reportedly been in talks with Rogan to appear on his podcast in recent weeks, but an interview never materialized.