AUSTIN, TEXAS: In a recent episode of 'The Joe Rogan Experience' podcast, the popular presenter Joe Rogan openly criticized San Francisco, likening it to a "failed state" and drawing parallels to tumultuous situations, such as those seen in Libya.
Actor Gabriel Iglesias joined Joe Rogan in discussing the escalating crime rates in the city, expressing concern about the visible impact of a deteriorating urban environment and its negative effects on local businesses.
Joe Rogan’s take on San Francisco
On the podcast, Joe Rogan emphasized the gravity of the situation in San Francisco, remarking, "San Francisco is the worst. San Francisco is like a failed state. It might as well be Libya; that place is wild."
Iglesias observed the city's apparent shift into a "ghost town," a sentiment echoed by others as businesses shutter, as reported by the Daily Mail.
"No one’s stopping anybody from doing anything. It’s crazy how quickly San Francisco has [declined]. Everyone’s pulling out of there," Rogan added.
During their conversation, they highlighted the significance of major companies relocating away from the city.
Target recently announced its decision to close a location, following in the footsteps of Whole Foods and Nordstrom, both of which had to close their San Francisco stores earlier in 2023 due to retail theft issues.
Joe Rogan explains rise in crime
Joe Rogan pointed out the extreme measures companies have resorted to amid challenges and pervasive criminal activity.
To highlight the impact of theft and security concerns, Walgreens, for instance, padlocked its refrigerators and added metal chains to secure doors overnight.
Homelessness emerged as another critical issue during their discussion, with Rogan noting, "So many homeless people down there, it is insane, the number of tent cities everywhere you look... and then there's open-air drug use, and it's tolerated."
ABC 7 News, reported an increase in robberies and car thefts compared to 2022 in San Francisco, coupled with a staggering homeless population exceeding 40,000.
