Joe Rogan Black Rifle Coffee: Last week, Evan Hafer, the Black Rifle Coffee Company creator, returned to The Joe Rogan Experience to shoot the shit.
The former Green Beret turned CEO talked about anything from a recent New York Times Magazine piece to riding fan boats into the Philippines jungles in quest of gunfights.
Because Episode 1693 is over three hours long, we’ve boiled it down to four important points for those who want to hear what Hafer and Rogan had to say but don’t have the time to listen to the whole thing.
The Article In The New York Times and Joe Rogan Black Rifle Coffee
The elephant in the room was a New York Times Magazine piece initially published online on July 14 and sparked a major online outcry. “When people were assaulting you, I became butthurt,” Rogan began the three-hour chat. It was so strange to watch right-wing cancel culture.”
Because the internet is a strange place, it’s no wonder that some people misinterpreted Hafer’s condemnation of racists in the New York Times essay as a dig at conservatives. Hafer, a Republican, highlighted how he normally avoids mainstream media and the ensuing comment wars.
Hafer told Rogan, “They’re tragedy merchants.” “I believe I have an ethical obligation to the veterans at BRCC not to engage in disparaging discourse.”
After initially denying an interview with the Times, Hafer said he’d reconsidered and concluded that speaking with the major media was the best way to share the story of his organization and its more than 220 veterans.
Regrettably, the article’s focus was elsewhere. After visiting a BRCC gathering for wounded soldiers, Hafer noted that the author decided to focus on phrases on some veterans’ apparel, such as “Eat the Weak” and “Kill Bad Dudes,” rather than the people themselves.
“Who cares what kind of clothing they’re wearing when they’re talking about someone who lost their legs in combat?” Hafer was irritated by the missed opportunity to emphasize the sacrifices made by people like that veteran for the country.
He believes the Times opted to build a story that suited a planned narrative out of all the positive tales it could have gleaned from its time at BRCC.
Hafer and Rogan talked about how the public’s distrust of the mainstream media has resulted in “hyper-divisive gaslighting on both sides.” Hafer addressed the anti-conservative sentiments that were misinterpreted.
“Racists and antisemites have no place in my client base,” he stated emphatically. “If they exist, I’ll pay them to leave.” That’s what I started, and I still stand by my statements.”
The Philanthropy Of Brcc | Joe Rogan Black Rifle Coffee
When talking about the personal sacrifices Hafer made to get BRCC off the ground (including taking on $36,000 in personal debt), the topic turned to some of the company’s humanitarian initiatives.
Despite selling “anything that wasn’t bolted down” and missing rent payments at home, Hafer made sure the company could give back to the community it represented from the start.
Hafer estimates that in the first two years of BRCC’s existence, the company provided roughly $38,000 to veteran NGOs. In 2019, that number grew to more than $400,000 in cash, product, and coffee donations.
Supporting veterans and first responders remains a top priority for BRCC. BRCC has always placed those who serve first, whether it’s raising and contributing money for charity through BRCC Gives or sending coffee to the men and women now fighting California’s huge Dixie Fire. That includes America’s allies, according to Hafer.
You brought a lot of people over from Afghanistan, Rogan recalled from a visit to BRCC’s Salt Lake City location several years ago.
Mohammad Wali Tasleem is an Afghan who works for Hafer. In 2001, Tasleem volunteered to join the Afghan National Army as a commando and has since taken part in over 1,500 direct action missions against the Taliban. Tasleem was able to flee to the United States once his duty finished, escaping Taliban persecution. Hafer recruited Tasleem as soon as he realised he hadn’t been executed and was residing in Baltimore.
“We got him a house, brought his family out here, and put him to work,” Hafer said.
He moved on to find Tasleem’s friends who had also immigrated to the US and were now dispersed across the country.
“How come the other guys aren’t here?” Okay, now is the time to offer them everyone jobs. Hafer recalls telling Tasleem, “They’re all coming here.” “These are the folks that have been fighting with us for over 20 years to the left and right. We owe them an enormous amount of appreciation for risking their lives, limbs, and eyesight — which means the same as mine.”
Social Media And Its Risks | Joe Rogan Black Rifle Coffee
Rogan and Hafer also delved into the dark waters of social media, highlighting how toxic much of it has become.
“I owe it to my entire peer group of post-9/11 veterans to just fucking push as hard as I can to be as positive as possible… rather adding to the arbitrary and out-of-control bad horseshit on these random platforms,” Hafer remarked.
According to Rogan and Hafer, social media has become a bad means to engage with people, and the pandemic’s isolation has worsened the breakdown in communication.
“It’s really easy to connect with someone online and fall into a vicious cycle of rage.” I believe that many people are simply dissatisfied with their lives and are looking for human interaction. “They’ll never acquire it through an electronic gadget,” Hafer said, pointing to his phone.
The two agreed that solitary words hurled across social media platforms have contributed to growing divisiveness among Americans because they lack context and social clues to pick up on. It’s impossible to analyse entire topics in 140 characters.
Hafer said, “It’s the worst, most counterproductive way to communicate ever.”
The United States Of America Is Fucking Amazing
It’s no surprise that the man behind “America’s coffee” spent a significant portion of the chat praising the United States. Hafer gushed about the reasons Americans are so fortunate to live here, from the beauty of the Grand Canyon to the social progress our flawed society continues to accomplish.
Hafer exclaimed, “This place is freaking wonderful.” “It’s insane.” It’s a touch out of control. A little bit crazy, a little bit out there. Mountains and deserts abound, as do cowboys in Texas and gun-toting cowboys in the heart of the West, as well as towering skyscrapers, jazz, and rock ‘n’ roll. This area is insanely cool.”
When Hafer started talking about why he loved America, his excitement was evident. He’s spent the most of his adult life working in active war zones, so he understands the value of the liberties we have in the United States.
Rogan remarked on the irony of BRCC’s toughest detractors being able to say whatever they want since people like Hafer spent their lives to maintaining that freedom.
Hafer cried, “I adore it!” “I do, man,” says the narrator.
Hafer fought in Iraq and Afghanistan for seven and a half years, defending people’s ability to congregate and publicly criticise whomever they want.
“We’re in such good shape,” Hafer added. “I’m ecstatic to be a part of this community. As a nation, we’ve been able to evolve our situation and create this huge, wild, amazing place. That’s insanely awesome.”
The discussion flowed as Rogan and Hafer exchanged cigars and whiskey. Rogan’s favourite comedians and Hafer’s affection for the British version of The Office were among the many subjects they discussed. Check out Hafer’s most recent interview with Rogan right now.
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