Comedian Bill Maher said Saturday night that it “doesn't matter” who the Democrats nominate as their nominee following the assassination attempt on 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
Trump suffered a graze wound to his ear while speaking at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, and the former president was photographed with his fist pumped and blood streaming from his face as the U.S. Secret Service moved in to escort him off the rally stage.
— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) July 13, 2024
Speaking on a comedy show just hours after the assassination attempt, Maher condemned the violence and called Trump “the luckiest motherfucker on the planet.”
“I condemned it loud and clear. I don't care what you think,” Maher said as the crowd cheered. “It's not funny.”
“I'm sure people will make jokes about how they wish it had happened, not me, not me, because everyone hates him,” he continued.
Maher told the audience that the shooter, identified by the FBI as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, “has done a tremendous amount of damage to the left.” The “Real Time” host said Democrats have “lost a lot of the moral high ground” when it comes to political violence.
“You know, liberals don't shoot people. Liberals don't solve problems that way,” Maher scolded.
My comedy show started last night just hours after the shooting, and if anyone wants to know my thoughts on it… pic.twitter.com/bMov0INLEr
— Bill Maher (@billmaher) July 14, 2024
Despite their political differences, Maher said he was “glad” the former president was “safe,” adding that the former president's good fortune began when he won the 2016 election despite receiving fewer votes than Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, who has yet to comment publicly on the incident. (Related story: 'Play the Game': Former House Speaker breaks down Trump's shortlist of running mates)
“He's the luckiest guy to ever live on the planet,” Maher told a laughing crowd, “and again, I'm glad he's safe.”
“I don't want to say the election is over,” Maher began as the audience erupted in laughter, “but anything can happen in an election, except for Jesus Christ.”
“Yes, MAGA Nation finally has a martyr,” he continued. “When he went to jail, everybody was celebrating. His arrest mugshot. I have to say he's insane and a criminal, but that mugshot? It's just perfect. It's perfect.”
Trump's mugshot was released by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office on Aug. 24, 2023, in connection with the Georgia 2020 election interference case. The trial was subsequently delayed due to a motion related to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' alleged affair with her lover, Nathan Wade, forcing Wade to resign as Willis' special prosecutor.
Maher said Trump “acted out the scene as if it was rehearsed”, before imitating the pose himself. He called people who suggest the assassination attempt was fake “idiots” and “conspiracy theorists”.
“He gets scratched and the other one gets shot? So Trump,” Maher said. “I can see the memes! The guy the liberal idiots couldn't kill. Biden can't survive a debate and bullets can't stop Donald Trump!”
“So it pretty much doesn't matter who the Democrats field right now,” Maher said.
On “Real Time” on Friday, Maher called on Democrats to “stop kidding around” and replace Biden. He said the Democratic presidency is “over” and predicted he will “step out of office” on Aug. 9, 2024, 50 years after President Richard Nixon submitted his resignation in 1974.
Following President Joe Biden's poor performance in the June 27 debate with President Trump, Democrats met privately, some of whom have publicly expressed concerns, and reportedly discussed the possibility of the president not seeking reelection.
