Comedian and political commentator Bill Maher has expressed doubts about continuing his long-running HBO talk show, Real Time with Bill Maher, if Donald Trump returns to the presidency. Speaking on his Club Random podcast in an interview with Jane Fonda, Maher reflected on his past coverage of Trump and the challenges of facing another MAGA presidency.
“I may quit because I don’t want to do another,” Maher admitted. “I did Trump. I called him a con man before anybody. He’s a mafia boss. I’ve done it.”
Since its debut in 2003, Real Time has been known for its sharp political satire and panel discussions. Maher’s relentless criticism of Trump has made him a frequent target of the former president, who has publicly lambasted the host over the years.
When Fonda suggested shifting the show’s focus away from Trump, Maher responded, “The show is the politics. There’s no other thing, and he’s going to dominate the news like he always does.”
Maher has previously drawn attention for his bold takes on Trump, from comparing him to a “racist Paul Revere” in 2018 to calling him a “Russian agent” in 2019. Trump has retaliated, including a 2013 lawsuit against Maher over a satirical comment about Trump’s parentage, which was later withdrawn.
Despite Maher’s reservations, HBO has renewed Real Time for two more seasons, extending its run through 2026. Whether Maher will continue hosting remains uncertain as he weighs his ability to engage with another Trump-centric news cycle.
