Could this be the end of Real Time With Bill Maher?
During a recent episode of Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast with guest Jane Fonda, which was recorded before the 2024 election in November, the comedian admitted he was “shitting my pants” over Donald Trump winning a second term in the White House.
“It’s hard to believe,” the host said, before adding that he “may quit” his hit HBO talk show “because I don’t want to do another” four years talking about the Republican president-elect.
“I did Trump,” Maher continued. “I did all the Trump stuff before anybody. I called him a con man before anybody. I did. He’s a mafia boss. I was the one who said he wasn’t going to concede the election. I’ve done it.”
Fonda proceeded to ask, “Well, then how come he’s so hostile to Jimmy Kimmel and not to you?”
“He’s very hostile to me. He tweets about me every week,” Maher responded. “Every week he accidentally watches my show and then [writes], ‘Low ratings, loser,” he said in his best Trump voice.
Maher has been hosting Real Time since 2003, where he discusses political and topical events with various guests. While the comedian wrapped up his 22nd season last month, the show was previously renewed for two more seasons at HBO.
Fonda later attempted to recommend the host “find a new thing to do and not do Trump,” but he clarified that the “show is the politics.” Maher added, “There’s no other thing, and he’s [Trump] going to dominate the news like he always does.”
The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to HBO for comment.