John Mellencamp blasts politicians with brutal four-word takedown on Joe Rogan podcast

John Mellencamp didn’t hold back on politics during a fiery appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience Wednesday.

The 74-year-old rock legend, best known for hits like Jack & Diane, also reflected on his life philosophy, telling Rogan, ‘Don’t take yourself so f****** seriously and try to have some humility.’

Turning to politics, he said, ‘That’s what I hate about politics today.’

He then torched those in power with a four-word gut punch: ‘There’s no f****** humility.’

Mellencamp doubled down, blasting politicians across the board: ‘How about some humility? I don’t care what party you’re with. I don’t give a f***.’

‘But show some humility and some respect for each other, which they just don’t. They just don’t, it’s terrible,’ he added.

The singer then pivoted to his current projects, revealing he’s planning a 'greatest hits' tour - something he’s never done before.

‘I can’t even imagine thinking back to when I was like 35. That idea would be like, "Shut the f*** up, I’m not doing that"'’ he said, adding that now, in his 70s, he sees his career in a completely different light.

He explained that actor Sean Penn recently encouraged him, saying, ‘Don’t you think that if I could show people the best parts of my movies, I would?’

As Rogan pointed out that most musicians don’t have enough hits to fill an entire show, Mellencamp reflected on his gratitude.

‘Like I said, I walk in my house and I go, “I can’t believe I get to live here,”’ he told Rogan.

The podcast appearance comes nearly a year after Mellencamp took aim at former NFL star-turned-WWE and ESPN personality Pat McAfee over his antics at a Pacers game.

In May 2025, Ben Stiller, filmmaker Spike Lee, and actor Timothée Chalamet were among the celebrities who travelled to Indianapolis for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers.

McAfee grabbed the microphone at Gainbridge Fieldhouse to give their visiting fans a brutal welcome. ‘Indianapolis, Indiana. We’ve got some big wigs from the big city in the building!’ he shouted.

He then called out Lee, Stiller, and Chalamet before adding, ‘Let's send these sons of b****es back to New York with their ears ringing.’ The clip quickly went viral, but it didn’t sit well with all Pacers fans.

Mellencamp was among the crowd in Indianapolis and, ahead of Game 5 at Madison Square Garden, issued an apology for McAfee’s ‘embarrassing’ behavior. 

‘The Knicks/Pacers games have been very entertaining for anyone who likes basketball or sports. I attended Game 4 in Indianapolis,’ he said in a statement.

‘“Hoosier Hospitality”… I was embarrassed when somebody, under whose direction I don’t know, called out some of the people who had made the trip from New York to support their team — and in turn, support our team. 

'The audience booed these people. I’d say that was not Hoosier Hospitality. One could only say it’s poor, poor sportsmanship. 

'I was not proud to be a Hoosier, and I’ve lived here my entire life. On behalf of most Hoosiers, I would like to apologise for our poor behaviour. I’m sure the Pacers had nothing to do with this smackdown.’

Amid all the talk about politics and music, Mellencamp’s personal life has been overshadowed by his daughter Teddi’s ongoing cancer battle. 

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum was first diagnosed with melanoma in 2022, and by early 2025 doctors found multiple tumours on her brain that have since required surgery and further radiation and immunotherapy. 

Her cancer has metastasised to her lungs as well, leaving the 43‑year‑old in the gruelling fight of her life as she continues treatment into 2026. 

Throughout it all, Teddi has remained open about the emotional and physical toll of her stage‑4 diagnosis and the support of her family, including her dad.