The comedian rushed to Trump’s defense, telling his audience to “be fair” to the president.
Bill Maher defended President Donald Trump’s incendiary suggestion that Iran could “eliminate Los Angeles.”
Trump defended rising gas prices this week, calling it a “small price to pay” to keep Americans safe, then said, “Let them wipe out Los Angeles.” Let them eliminate San Diego. » Outrage ensued, as Trump insisted he was invoking cities as examples of what a nuclear-armed Iran could attack, saying higher fuel costs were preferable to destruction.
Maher corroborated Trump’s defense on his show Friday, saying, “Let’s be fair.” He said the “small price” the president was referring to was the high price of gas.
“He wasn’t saying we encouraged Iran,” Maher said, defending the president. “But still, you don’t want to say that to the people in this town. We live here.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass was among the California Democrats who denounced Trump’s complacency. She called the remarks horrible and “egregious,” saying the president should not treat America’s major cities as expendable.
Maher, 70, criticized Bass over her response, saying, “She immediately phoned her travel agent.” This appears to refer to his trip to Ghana during the devastating Los Angeles fires in January 2025.
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Maher has previously faced backlash for softening Trump’s public image. He described the president as “gracious and measured” during an April 11 episode. Real timereferring to Trump’s behavior at a White House dinner Maher attended.
Actor Bill Maher and Donald Trump attend the 56th annual Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles in 2004.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
But the comedian also regularly attacks Trump, and he did it again on Friday.
Of the upcoming midterm elections, he noted that Trump has become so unpopular that he is forced to campaign in states where “no Republican is usually required to campaign,” such as ruby-red Nebraska, Oklahoma and Alabama.
He called it “the moment we give money away,” referring to Trump’s promises to deliver $90 checks to people on Medicare, $500 to people on Obamacare and $5,000 to every American if Republicans somehow maintain control of Congress in November.
“I think that’s what the kids call being thirsty,” Maher joked.
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