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Bill Maher, talking Trump
By John Benson
After covering politics on television for nearly a quarter of a century, Bill Maher thought he’d seen it all. Then came along the Donald Trump presidential campaign, which for the last year has provided endless fodder for debate and laughs on his Emmy Award-nominated HBO series “Real Time.”
Still, the funnyman, who first appeared on Comedy Central and ABC-TV’s “Politically Incorrect,” remains dedicated to his first love, which is stand-up comedy. Maher returns to Northeast Ohio tonight for a show at Playhouse Square’s Connor Palace. He also will be at Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh on July 8.
The Vindicator talked to the 60-year-old comic about, well, politics, with much of the conversation revolving around one certain candidate getting a lot of attention these days.
Q. It seems like we are living in crazy political times. Is that accurate?
A. Yeah, because of one person, Donald Trump. It is unique. There’s never been anybody in politics like that. You could make the case that he is just reflecting where society is, and I think that’s accurate, but nevertheless, we’ve never seen anybody like this, anybody who is completely gaffe-proof. He does things that nobody ever thinks about doing, and he gets away with it. This week calling the judge in his Trump University case nasty names because he’s Mexican. Anybody else would be out of the race immediately. He should have been out of the race a year ago when he said John McCain wasn’t a war hero, when he made fun of Megyn Kelly for having her period and when he did an impression of somebody who has cerebral palsy.
Q. What does a Trump presidency look like when he runs into the red tape and bureaucracy that is Washington?
A. I think it’ll happen the first day. We see he is the most thin-skinned person we’ve ever had in politics. I keep calling him a whiney little (expletive) and the people keep repeating it, which is great because I love to brand him with that the way he brands everybody else. I don’t think anything will get done from day one because the second anybody opposes him or criticizes any idea he ever has, he’ll be Tweeting at them. I remember the 2008 commercial, what will this person do when that call comes in at 3 a.m.? I know what this president will be doing. He’ll be in a Twitter war with Demi Lovato.
Q. You’ve enjoyed success in stand-up, moviemaking and writing. What’s next for Bill Maher?
A. First of all, I did one movie and one documentary. I’m thrilled that I did it, but I always said it was the only one I’m ever going to do. Books? Maybe sometime in the future. It’s lonely work sitting at home writing a book, and nobody reads anymore so it’s a little bit discouraging.
Q. Looking ahead, who does America elect president?
A. I’ve been warning since the beginning that Trump could win. A lot of America absolutely is going to vote for Trump. He is a far superior politician than Hillary Clinton, and people in this country aren’t bright, especially about politics. They don’t understand the issues. So a guy comes along and a slogan fits on a hat, “Make America Great Again.” “Geez, sounds good to me.” He looks like he’s in charge and Hillary always looks like she’s on the defensive. So, damn right, he could win.