TV host Bill Maher said he wants the United States to plunge into a recession, leaving Americans suffering financially. His purpose—reversing economic prosperity under President Trump to hurt his 2020 reelection campaign.
Maher commented on an August 9 episode of Real Time with Bill Maher. He made the comment and pushed his thesis forward despite the apparent disagreement of at least one of his show guests.
“Well, you should wish for a recession, because that would definitely get him unelected,” said Maher.
“Okay but Bill you don’t really want a recession,” said show guest Anthony Scaramucci, who served as the White House Communications Director for 11 days.
“I really do. We have survived many recessions. We can’t survive another Donald Trump term,” Maher said.
“You’re going to knock lower-middle-income people out of work. You really don’t want it,” said Scaramucci.
“I do,” said Maher.
Brent Baker obtained the show clip through a SnapStream TV Search.
Anthony @Scaramucci to @BillMaher: “You don’t really want a recession.” Maher: “I do. We have survived many recessions. We can’t survive another Donald Trump term.” NBC’s @RichardEngel: “Short term pain…better than long term destruction of the Constitution.” #RealTime pic.twitter.com/zJVRczTPJe
— Brent Baker (@BrentHBaker) August 10, 2019
The TV show is known for its constant Trump-bashing. It’s not the first time the recession issue has come up on the show. Even as recently as the previous week’s show, Maher made similar comments, and likewise, one of his show guests for that week tried to remind him how devastating a recession would be for the public.
“I’ve been hoping for a recession. People hate me for it, but it would get rid of Trump, so you shouldn’t hate me for it,” Maher said.
“Yeah. It’s bad. I mean, recessions are really bad. People lose their jobs and their homes, and we shouldn’t wish for it,” said Josh Barro, host of the podcast “All the President’s Lawyers.”
“I know. It’s worth it,” said Maher.
The dialogue comes from a clip of the show published on August 3 to YouTube.
The president tweeted about Maher’s show in a couple of tweets on August 10.
….cause big disruption by going to Manhattan. Working almost all of the time, including evenings. Don’t have to be in W.H. to do that…And sooo many other false statements. He is right about one thing, though. I will win again in 2020. Otherwise, he pays 95% in taxes!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10, 2019
“Got to see, by accident, wacko comedian Bill Maher’s show—So many lies. He said patients in El Paso hospital didn’t want to meet with me. Wrong! Had really great meetings with numerous patients. Said I was on vacation. Wrong! Long planned fix up of W.H., stay here rather than cause big disruption by going to Manhattan. Working almost all of the time, including evenings. Don’t have to be in W.H. to do that … And sooo many other false statements. He is right about one thing, though. I will win again in 2020. Otherwise, he pays 95% in taxes!”
Part of Trump’s response seemed to be about Maher’s jokes on the show, during his monologue portion, about Trump’s visit to El Paso to console the victims of the Walmart shooting.
Trump also had words for Scaramucci.
…..other than the fact that this Administration has probably done more than any other Administration in its first 2 1/2 years of existence. Anthony, who would do anything to come back in, should remember the only reason he is on TV, and it’s not for being the Mooch!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 11, 2019
“Anthony Scaramucci, who was quickly terminated (11 days) from a position that he was totally incapable of handling, now seems to do nothing but television as the all-time expert on “President Trump.” Like many other so-called television experts, he knows very little about me other than the fact that this Administration has probably done more than any other Administration in its first 2 1/2 years of existence. Anthony, who would do anything to come back in, should remember the only reason he is on TV, and it’s not for being the Mooch!” Trump tweeted.
