Mel Gibson Blames "Jewish Space Lasers" for Los Angeles Firestorm in Controversial Joe Rogan Interview

January 9 , 2025

Los Angeles - In an incendiary interview on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, actor and director Mel Gibson has stirred fresh controversy, claiming that "Jewish space lasers" were responsible for the recent firestorm that devastated parts of Los Angeles. His comments, which echo a widely debunked conspiracy theory, have reignited outrage and confusion, with critics accusing the Hollywood veteran of promoting anti-Semitic tropes.

Gibson, who has been no stranger to controversy over the years, was asked about the firestorm that ravaged the region, burning thousands of acres of land, destroying homes, and displacing countless residents. While most media outlets reported on the fire’s probable causes—extreme heat, dry conditions—Gibson took a far more conspiratorial angle.

"Look, I’ve been doing my own research, and I think we all know that there’s something bigger at play here," Gibson said during the wide-ranging conversation. "I mean, people talk about weather patterns and global warming, but the real story that nobody wants to touch is these space lasers. You know, the ones operated by powerful, unseen forces who want to control the planet—specifically, these Jewish space lasers that are out there."

Gibson’s reference to "Jewish space lasers" appears to be a nod to a fringe conspiracy theory that first gained traction in 2020, when certain far-right figures and internet trolls falsely suggested that advanced laser weapons were being deployed by Jewish-controlled interests. The theory, which has been debunked by experts and widely condemned for its anti-Semitic overtones, gained renewed attention when the actor mentioned it on Rogan’s platform.

This isn’t the first time Gibson has been embroiled in a public scandal. The actor-turned-director, best known for films like Braveheart and The Passion of the Christ, has faced accusations of anti-Semitism and bigotry for years. In 2006, Gibson made headlines after a drunken anti-Semitic rant during a DUI arrest, for which he later apologized. More recently, in 2021, a video surfaced of him making offensive remarks about a fellow actor. Despite these past incidents, Gibson has managed to retain a loyal following, particularly among certain segments of conservative and libertarian audiences, who praise his outspoken, contrarian views.

Rogan, whose podcast has become a platform for controversial figures and conspiracy theorists in recent years, did not immediately challenge Gibson’s assertions, but he did offer a slight qualifier, noting, “Well, I don’t know about space lasers… but the idea of weather manipulation is something a lot of people talk about.”

Despite the immediate backlash, both Gibson and Rogan have found vocal supporters. Some fans argue that Gibson’s views are merely provocative opinions in a world where free speech is increasingly under attack. "Mel is just speaking his mind, and he’s been saying things that others are too scared to say," one supporter wrote on social media.

Kate Laurensen