Former New York Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo told comedian Bill Maher late Friday that the Manhattan trial of 2024 Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump “should never have happened,” and spoke about the trial's impact on the campaign.

Trump's campaign had raised $116.6 million through May, $25 million more than President Joe Biden's reelection campaign. POLITICO Cuomo reportedly said it was “scary” that more than half of New Yorkers believe “the justice system has been politicized,” prompting the “Real Time” host to point out Trump's subsequent financial outpouring.

“You know what's scary from my perspective,” Cuomo began. “The trials in New York. There's Florida, Georgia, and two in New York. The two trials in New York, 66% of New Yorkers say the justice system is politicized. Nobody likes Trump in New York. And yet, 66% say the justice system is politicized. That's why I don't think Trump is paying the same price for these sentences, because they think it's political. Let me talk about a threat to our democracy. If the public believes we're playing politics with the justice system and we're trying to put people in jail or convict people for political reasons, then that's a big problem.”

“I saw two articles in the paper today about the election. One is that Biden has a slight lead, but not in the states where it matters. But nationally, which was, well, a first for me. And the second is fundraising,” Maher said. “The trial in New York, the trial where he was convicted, was the biggest fundraising opportunity of all time. He was behind Biden and now he's way ahead. That trial was the biggest thing that compelled people to send Donald Trump checks for $5, $10, $25 or whatever it was.”

Maher said “it's a Hobson's choice” when it comes to Trump because “he's always guilty.” The comedian cautioned against prosecuting Trump because “the repercussions could be even worse.” (Related article: 'I don't want to underestimate him': Donald Trump calls Biden a 'worthy debater')

President Trump criticized Maher on social media Saturday morning, calling the “Real Time” host “overrated.” He called on Republicans to “stop using” the liberal comedian as a “reference point.”

“Bill Maher, the overrated 'star' of a ratings-challenged show whose fake, loud, obnoxious laughter airs every few seconds, even when he's not saying anything funny (which is most of the time), is suffering from terminal symptoms of Trump Derangement Syndrome (aka TDS). Republicans need to stop using him as a benchmark. His show is over!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.