Bill Maher and Michael Douglas covered significant political ground during their conversation on Club Random, with Maher offering his assessments of President Donald Trump and the current state of American politics.
When Douglas raised concerns about Trump’s recent actions, specifically his decision to share Senator Tom Cotton’s personal phone number over a disagreement about daylight saving time, Maher was quick to respond.
Douglas said, “Cotton has been the most avid supporter right wing you could ask for more of an ally than Tom Cotton.”
Maher noted the irony and replied, “That’s just psychosis.”
The conversation took a historical turn as Douglas reflected on threats he received during the filming of Basic Instinct in 1992, when activist groups told writer Joe Eszterhas “we know where you live.”
Maher connected this to contemporary politics, observing: “Even back then there were people and this is on the left… The right wing has always had people who were too comfortable with violence for political ends but now the left does too.”
Maher then noted, “For people back then to be saying ‘We know where you live,’ now we call that doxxing. Trump did it the other day.”
Despite his criticisms, Maher revealed he maintains direct communication with Trump, disclosing he’s scheduled to have dinner with him at the White House.
“He said I won’t talk trash about you after the dinner like I did the last time,” Maher explained. “I said you can say whatever you want about me. I’m just glad we’re talking. I think people need to talk.”
Maher’s most direct assessment came when discussing Trump’s long-term political prospects. “Well, first of all, I think he’s cooked,” Maher stated plainly.
He continued with measured reflection: “I got to say, to be perfectly honest, which is what I’m always trying to do, nobody was more alarmed about him. I used the term slow moving coup before he was elected the first time. And I was way out front on he’s never going to concede elections. But I got to say, after all is said and done, he’s been now it’s been 10 years.”
Then came his most pointed critique: “He is a maniac who does fascistic things and pals around with likes dictators and that kind of thing.”
Yet Maher also offered pragmatic context. He stated, “Our lives are good. Like he didn’t end the world. A little of it was hysterical. But it’s for good reason.”
