Hotez, a frequent guest on CNN and NBC during the Covid-19 pandemic, first tried the 'let's take this offline' approach with Rogan, after first posting a link to a VICE article attacking claims made by RFK Jr. on Rogan's podcast. Rogan called that a "non answer," and his original $100,000 offer to donate to charity snowballed into millions after a flood of people committed to the pot.

He now says that getting 'tag-teamed' on Twitter has been "overwhelming," telling MSNBC's Mehdi Hasan (after an establishment support strike was called in) "You know, the attacks from the anti-vaccine lobby do come in waves. And this time, though, it's been one of the tougher ones. Because, as you pointed out, the physical stalking and the incessant threatening emails."