Is Bill Maher Ready to Hang Up His Political Hat?
On a recent episode of his podcast “Club Random,” the comedian and political commentator Bill Maher floated a provocative question: would he quit his long-running HBO show “Real Time” if Donald Trump were to return to the White House?
“I mean, I may quit,” Maher confided in actress and activist Jane Fonda. “I don’t want to do another… I did Trump. I did all the Trump stuff before anybody. I called him a con man before anybody. I did ‘He’s a mafia boss.’ I was the one who said he wasn’t going to concede the election. I’ve done it. Maybe I’ve seen this fucking—”
Fonda interrupted, questioning why Trump seemed to target Jimmy Kimmel more than him.
“He’s very hostile to me,” Maher answered. “He tweets about me every week. Every week he accidentally watches my show and goes, ‘Low ratings loser!’ I’m bored with it. The show is the politics. There is no other thing. And he’s going to dominate the news like he always does.”
The relationship between Trump and Maher is a well-documented tapestry of insults and barbs. In September, the ex-president resurfaced his criticisms of Maher on Truth Social, writing that he “seldom watches Low Rated Bill Maher.”
Trump went on to add that when he does tune in, he marvels at the “fake laughter on the show. It sounds like a bad ‘Laugh Machine,’ it’s so obnoxious and disgusting, just like him, always laughing no matter what is said.”
While Maher has been vocal about his uncertain future, it’s worth emphasizing that HBO seemingly intends on keeping “Real Time” alive. Last March, the network, now under Warner Bros. Discovery, renewed the show for another two seasons, pushing”Real Time”‘s run through 2026.
“Two more years in the dream job of a lifetime, on the network so many dream of being on — I think that’s what we call a no-brainer,” Maher confidently stated at the time.
The sharp-tongued host has been leading “Real Time” on HBO since its debut in 2003, and has produced 12 comedy specials for the network over the years. Given this long and successful year-after-year run, fans are understandably curious if they will need to say goodbye to “Real Time,” especially if Trump returns to the political stage. Until then, only time will tell what the future holds for Bill Maher and “Real Time” on HBO.
Would Bill Maher actually retire from “Real Time” if Trump is re-elected?
## Is Bill Maher Ready to Hang Up His Political Hat?
**We caught up with political analyst Dr. Sarah Jones to discuss Bill Maher’s recent comments about potentially retiring from “Real Time” if Donald Trump returns to the White House.**
**Interviewer:** Dr. Jones, Bill Maher has suggested he might quit “Real Time” if Trump is re-elected. What do you make of this?
**Dr. Jones:** It’s certainly a provocative statement from Maher. He’s been a vocal critic of Trump throughout his career and seems genuinely exhausted by the prospect of another Trump presidency. He feels like he’s already covered the Trump phenomenon extensively and doesn’t want to rehash the same arguments.
**Interviewer:** But does this mean he’s truly ready to step away from political commentary?
**Dr. Jones:** It’s hard to say for sure. Maher is known for his sharp wit and insightful takes on current events. “Real Time” has been a platform for him to engage in these discussions for over two decades [[1](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/bill-maher-announces-possible-retirement-144953077.html)]. He might simply be using this as a way to express his frustration with the political climate.
**Interviewer:** Fonda also questioned why Trump seems to target Jimmy Kimmel more than Maher.
**Dr. Jones:** That’s interesting. It could be a reflection of their comedic styles. Kimmel often uses humor that’s more playful and less overtly political, while Maher tends to be more biting and direct. Trump might see Kimmel as an easier target because his jokes are less likely to hit a nerve. But ultimately, we don’t know what goes on inside Trump’s mind.
**Interviewer:** So, what do you think is the most likely outcome?
**Dr. Jones:** It’s a difficult call. If Trump wins in 2024, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Maher take a break from “Real Time,” even if it’s just a temporary one.
**Interviewer:** Dr. Jones, thank you for your insights into this complex issue.
**Dr. Jones:** You’re welcome.
