In a recent episode of the Roggin Report, host Fred Roggin found himself at the center of a "diplomatic" debate following an interview with a most unusual figure: the Sultan of Slowjamastan. This 11-acre micronation, located in the Imperial County desert, was founded by radio personality Randy "R Dub" Williams in 2021 after he "defected" from the United States—mostly to escape the tyranny of Crocs, which are strictly outlawed in his territory.
While many viewers found the segment to be "good medicine for the soul" during heavy times, not everyone was amused. One viewer, Ken, sent a stinging email claiming the interview with a "fake sultan" degraded Roggin’s validity as a reporter and made his family "cringe." Roggin, however, met the criticism with his signature irreverence. Defending the segment as a brilliant piece of performance art, Roggin clarified that the show has never aimed to be "straight news." Instead, he views his platform as a "tight wire" between informing the community and providing much-needed levity.
The Sultan, appearing on his "red phone," offered an "olive branch" to American authorities by unveiling VIP parking for the Imperial County Sheriff and Border Patrol—a move to ensure he remains a "friendly dictator." Roggin concluded by urging his critics to "let their hair down" and embrace the absurdity. In a world full of "garbage," Roggin argues that a man who buys desert land to build a "country" with an interactive armadillo farm is exactly the kind of story we need to remind us to smile.
By: NBC Palm Springs
January 22, 2026
