Maher shrugs off Trump's Pearl Harbor joke: 'You'd laugh' if a comedian said it

[SocialDemocrat61]

Maher shrugs off Trump’s Pearl Harbor joke: ‘You’d laugh’ if a comedian said it
by Steff Danielle Thomas

Comedian Bill Maher on Friday brushed off President Trump’s ribbing of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about Pearl Harbor amid the ongoing U.S. military operation in Iran.

“He was in the Oval Office yesterday with the prime minister of Japan … and he was talking about our strike in Iran,” Maher said on his “Real Time” show. “And he said, ‘We didn’t tell anybody because we wanted it to be a surprise. Who knows better about a surprise attack than Japan?’

“I mean, is it? Is it right to say that? No. But if Shane Gillis said it, you’d laugh,” he added, referring to the stand-up comedian.

https://thehill.com/homenews/media/5794573-maher-trump-japan-pearl-harbor-iran-war-gold-coin/

[Henry203]

1. He is the President

You dick.

[Ponietz]

2. Fetterman writing Maher's gags now?

[Prairie Gates]

3. Fuck Bill Maher

[ck4829]

4. It's funny how he's not demanding everyone who turned everything Bill Clinton did into a -gate scandal apologize

It's funny how's he not demanding the media figures who turned Howard Dean making a yell into a thing apologize.

If the standards have fallen to make room for Trump, we have to point them out. Consequences are going to happen, one way or another.

[Red Mountain]

6. Don't worry, he'll come around

just as soon as there's a Democrat in office again.

[bucolic_frolic]

5. Yes, I'd laugh, with unease, and it would morph into a groan because

it sure isn't any kind of knee-slapping joke. It's like so what, not really funny.

[Ocelot II]

7. I *wouldn't* laugh if a comedian said it, but the real point is that the President of the US said it

to the Prime Minister of Japan. He intentionally recalled and made a joke of an act of war by a country that was once an enemy and is now an ally, to the leader of that country. It was insulting, and certainly intentionally so, because Trump's MO is always the putdown. And the fact that Japan's PM is a woman made it that much more enjoyable for him. If Bill Maher can't figure out the difference between a dumb joke by a standup comic and an intentional dig by a president who loves to put others down whenever possible, he's either stupid or an asshole, and probably both.

[delisen]

8. Zelensky understands elected leadership role, Trump does not

They were both entertainers. One is worth following, the other is not

[niyad]

10. Not sure one could call that "reality show" entertainment, since krasnov

was simply being his revolting self, but you are quite correct about President Zelensky.

[niyad]

9. First of all, bill, you fucking scum, the orange creature does NOT "joke",

or "rib". He spouts vicious, vulgar, crude, rude, insulting, racist, sexist, verbal diarrhea, and the equally repellant people around him stroke his incredibly large, incredibly fragile, ego.

Second, it was NOT funny, I don't care who would have said it. Do us all a favour, you revolting orange suck-up, and retire.

[Orrex]

11. I've seen DU forgive a lot of Maher's bullshit for exactly that reason

His fans--and I've never understood how he has any--praise him for his insight and for "telling it like it is" when he says something that they favor. Then, the other 99% of the time when he spews bullshit defending the Right, they say "well what do you expect? He's a comedian, not a politician."

IMO he should be considered a reichwing propaganda source on par with Fox of Newsmax.

[Prairie Gates]

15. Bill Maher fans are like a variation on the vegan joke

Last edited Sun Mar 22, 2026, 04:38 PM - Edit history (1)

How do you know if a Bill Maher fan is very open minded and extremely intelligent?

Don't worry. They'll tell you.

[marble falls]

17. Double rec'd it.

[SocialDemocrat61]

19. Damn!

That’s going to leave a mark! 😂

[Cosmocat]

21. I was a big fan 20 years ago

He did some both siderism but was so much more clear about what side he was on and much more brave about toasting right wing insanity.

But, he is no even remotely that guy any more.

[dweller]

12. Forgive me

But I’m not taking lessons in good taste from an asshole like bill maher


✌🏻

[Midnight Writer]

13. I see his point.

I would laugh if a virulent and nasty strain of measles infected the top Administration actors.

But if that same strain of measles infected a public school, I would not think it is funny.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

14. Who cares about anything this idiot says?

Maher ceased being funny a long time ago. I really do not care about anything this idiot says

[SocialDemocrat61]

20. Unfortunately some still do

Republicans aren't the only ones who worship an anti-vax, islamophobic, transphobic, sexist, bigoted, egomaniac, rich, white, male TV celebrity.

[marble falls]

16. Maher's sooo out of touch. Not a gram of couth in his whole body. He's just Dennis Miller lite.

[lame54]

18. I'd say Shane...

You didn't understand the question
It was about allies not the target

[City Lights]

22. Maher is repulsive on every level. nt