Joe Rogan, AI Chatbots Rise as Key News Sources While Traditional Media Declines

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A new report from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism reveals a major shift in how Americans consume news, with podcasters like Joe Rogan and AI chatbots playing a growing role—particularly among younger audiences—while traditional news outlets continue to lose relevance.

In the week following the January 2025 U.S. presidential inauguration, more Americans reported getting news from social and video platforms than from TV, websites, or apps, marking the first time this digital dominance has been recorded in the U.S.

The study, based on a survey of nearly 100,000 people across 48 countries, found the trend especially pronounced among Americans under 35, with over 50% turning to social and video networks as their primary news sources. Globally, 44% of those aged 18–24 also rely on these platforms.

Podcaster Joe Rogan was cited as a news or commentary source by 20% of Americans in the post-inauguration week, making him a top figure in the evolving news landscape. Other widely followed political influencers include Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens, Ben Shapiro, and on the left, Brian Tyler Cohen and David Pakman. Most of these top political voices are male, according to the report.

“These creators are attracting audiences traditional media struggle to reach—especially young men, right-leaning users, and people with low trust in mainstream media,” said Nic Newman, Senior Research Associate at the Reuters Institute.

However, this shift comes with risks. Online influencers are considered major sources of false or misleading information, second only to politicians in the U.S. Over 70% of Americans said they are concerned about distinguishing true from false information online—one of the highest levels globally.

The report also highlights the emerging role of AI in news consumption. Among people under 25, 15% use AI chatbots for news weekly, with ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Meta AI being the most cited tools. Overall AI-based news usage remains lower, at 7%, but growing.

This trend may also threaten traditional publishers, as AI tools reduce the need for users to click through to original news websites.

While text remains the preferred format for consuming news globally, about a third of people say they prefer watching, and 15% prefer listening—a shift driven largely by younger audiences.

Meanwhile, X (formerly Twitter) is seeing a resurgence as a news platform in the U.S., especially among right-leaning users and young men, with 23% of Americans now using it for news—up 8 points from last year. Other alternative platforms like Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon are struggling to reach even 2% of users.

Despite all these shifts, trust in news has remained steady at 40% globally for the past three years, the report notes.

Trump Reports Over $600 Million in Income from Crypto, Golf, and Licensing Ventures

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Donald Trump disclosed more than $600 million in income from cryptocurrency, golf clubs, licensing deals, and other businesses in a financial report released on Friday, offering insight into the expansive portfolio of the billionaire former president.

The report, which appears to cover the 2024 calendar year, highlights Trump’s growing earnings from cryptocurrency ventures alongside revenues from real estate developments, golf resorts, and licensing agreements. Reuters estimates Trump’s total assets at a minimum of $1.6 billion based on the disclosure.

Although Trump has placed his businesses in a trust managed by his children, the income still flows to him, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Some cryptocurrency-related businesses have benefited from policies enacted under Trump’s administration, fueling criticism.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the administration’s commitment to transparency and compliance with ethics rules in a statement to Reuters.

Key highlights from the disclosure include:

  • The meme cryptocurrency $TRUMP reportedly generated $320 million in fees, though the distribution of those fees remains undisclosed.

  • The Trump family earned over $400 million from World Liberty Financial, a decentralized finance company, with Trump personally reporting $57.35 million from token sales and holding 15.75 billion governance tokens.

  • The family is involved in bitcoin mining operations and digital asset ETFs.

  • Trump Media & Technology Group, owner of Truth Social, represents a significant part of Trump’s reported wealth.

  • Passive investments, including stakes in Blue Owl Capital, Charles Schwab, and Invesco funds, generated at least $12 million in income from assets valued at $211 million.

  • Trump’s golf resorts in Florida—Jupiter, Doral, and West Palm Beach—and the Mar-a-Lago private club earned at least $217.7 million in revenue, with the Miami-area Trump National Doral golf resort alone bringing in $110.4 million.

  • The disclosure also noted international income streams, including $5 million in licensing fees from a Vietnamese development, $10 million in development fees from a project in India, and nearly $16 million in licensing fees from a Dubai project.

  • Additional royalty income includes $1.3 million from the Greenwood Bible, $2.8 million from Trump Watches, and $2.5 million from Trump Sneakers and Fragrances.

  • Trump’s NFTs brought in $1.16 million, while First Lady Melania Trump earned approximately $216,700 from licensing her own NFT collection.

The financial disclosure provides a snapshot of Trump’s diverse and global business interests during his presidency, with significant earnings from emerging sectors like cryptocurrency alongside traditional revenue streams.

White House Reviews SpaceX Contracts Amid Trump-Musk Feud

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The White House has directed the Defense Department and NASA to review billions of dollars worth of contracts held by SpaceX following a public conflict between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, sources told Reuters. This review aims to prepare the administration for potential retaliatory actions against Musk’s companies.

Pentagon officials are also weighing whether to reduce SpaceX’s involvement in a new U.S. missile defense system. Currently, SpaceX holds roughly $22 billion in federal contracts, but it is unclear if any cancellations are imminent.

The review stems from Trump’s recent threat to terminate business and subsidies for Musk ventures during their spat. When asked about Musk’s contracts, a White House spokesperson cited a commitment to a rigorous review process for all bids and contracts. NASA confirmed it will continue working with industry partners to meet presidential space objectives.

Sources describe the contract scrutiny as a political move intended to give the administration flexibility should Trump decide to act. Musk, who formerly served as a senior advisor to Trump and led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been at odds with the president after publicly calling for his impeachment and linking him to a convicted sex offender.

Experts warn that politicizing such contracts risks undermining national security and public interest. Scott Amey, from the Project on Government Oversight, noted the irony of Musk’s contracts undergoing political scrutiny similar to what his DOGE team imposed on others. He emphasized that contract decisions should prioritize public and security interests over personal disputes.

SpaceX plays a vital role in U.S. aerospace and defense, launching satellites and cargo, and managing NASA’s Dragon spacecraft—the sole U.S. vehicle currently capable of ferrying astronauts to the International Space Station. The company also builds a classified network of spy satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office, strengthening its ties with U.S. defense and intelligence agencies.

Despite recent tensions, SpaceX remains a critical partner to the government, highlighting the complex balance between politics and strategic partnerships in national security.