Joe Rogan has expressed “real concern” about mysterious drone sightings reported in New Jersey and parts of New York. The podcast host shared his thoughts on Sunday, December 15, after watching a video that speculated that the unmanned aircraft may be detecting harmful substances.
A detailed TikTok video offers John Fergusonthe CEO of a remotely piloted aircraft systems company in Kansas, suggested that the drones could be trying to detect a gas leak, radioactive material or other substance on the ground. “The only reason to fly an unmanned aircraft at night is to look for something,” Ferguson explained in the clip. However, he made it clear that he does not believe the drones have a malicious purpose.
“So I think they’re trying to smell something on the ground – gas leak, radioactive material, whatever,” Ferguson said, emphasizing that his theory is his own and has not been confirmed. “If you think it’s rubbish, that’s fine. I don’t want to spread misinformation because we know there is a lot of it,” he added.

Joe Rogan says he is ‘genuinely concerned’

Ferguson’s explanation seemed to resonate with Rogan, who shared his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter). “This is the first video about these drones that really concerns me.” Rogan wrote.
In contrast, this is White House National Security Council speaker John Kirby had previously assured the public that the drones posed no threat to security. However, Rogan dismissed the US government’s statements as “suspicious”. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas He similarly downplayed concerns, stating, “Some of these drone sightings are actually drones.” Some are manned aircraft, which are often confused with drones. We also see cases of double reporting.”
Since the sightings began, there have been numerous theories about the purpose of the drones. An expert who spoke to Fox Business suggested that a hostile foreign company could be using the drones to divert the attention of federal and local authorities from other nefarious activities. Former President Donald Trump suggested that officials knew more about the situation than they were revealing and called for the drones to be shot down.
Mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey have been drawing public attention for weeks, with reports of unusual nighttime activity by unmanned aerial vehicles. Authorities and eyewitnesses have reported sightings of up to 50 drones at a time, often moving in coordinated patterns. These drones have been spotted in several counties across New Jersey, including Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties, and have even been reported in parts of eastern Pennsylvania and New York.
The sightings first gained notoriety when a New Jersey police officer observed a swarm of about 50 drones seemingly coming from the sea. Despite attempts by local authorities, including state police and the Coast Guard, to investigate, the drones could not be detected and left no heat signatures or traceable signals. Concern escalated when it was reported that 13 drones had tailed a Coast Guard vessel, prompting further investigations by the FBI and Homeland Security.

Theories about the purpose of drones

Several theories have emerged to explain the phenomenon:
1. Monitoring of environmental hazards
John Ferguson, an expert in drone technology, postulated that the drones may be equipped with advanced sensors designed to “smell” for dangerous substances such as gas leaks, radioactive materials or other environmental pollutants. Although Ferguson’s theory is speculative, it is consistent with the drones’ observed behavior of flying low over areas with critical infrastructure.
2. Experimental or secret technology
Some experts and commentators suspect that the drones could be part of secret military or industrial testing programs. Given the drones’ ability to evade detection and their apparent coordination, it is possible that they are using advanced technology, perhaps from a defense contractor or government agency.
3. Foreign surveillance
Concerns have also been raised about foreign involvement, particularly given the strategic importance of the tri-state area. Some theorists suggest the drones could be part of a foreign nation’s surveillance operation targeting critical infrastructure or gathering intelligence.
4. Commercial or personal use
Officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, have downplayed the mystery, citing relaxed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations that allow the use of drones at night. According to this theory, the drones could be part of legitimate operations such as mapping or research, but were mistakenly mistaken for something more worrisome.
5. Illegal or criminal activities
Other speculation suggests the drones could be used for illegal purposes, such as smuggling contraband or monitoring law enforcement activities. However, there is no direct evidence to support this claim.
6. UFO and extraterrestrial speculation
As with many unexplained aerial phenomena, some have turned to UFO theories and suggest that the drones could be of extraterrestrial origin. Although this is widely considered the least plausible explanation, it continues to fuel speculation on social media.
Public response and government response
The sightings have unsettled residents, and social media is abuzz with theories and concerns. Joe Rogan’s reaction reflects the public’s general skepticism towards official statements. Rogan had previously criticized the US government as dismissive and described its assurances as “sus” (suspicious).
Authorities have taken a measured approach, saying many sightings are likely misidentified manned aircraft or harmless drones operating within legal limits. However, they have also committed additional resources to investigations and recognize the need for transparency when foreign or criminal activity is discovered.

Calls to action

The conundrum has led to calls from lawmakers and officials for stricter drone regulations and counter-drone measures. President-elect Donald Trump reflected public frustration and suggested shooting down the drones, although that has sparked debates over legality and safety. The drone saga continues to evolve, leaving more questions than answers as the investigation progresses. Meanwhile, residents of affected areas remain vigilant and theories about the true nature of the drones persist.