As the 2024 presidential election approaches in just a few weeks, Bill Maher called on people to stop wishing for an “October surprise” that might “rescue us from a second Trump term.”
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| Bill Maher Michael Kovac/Getty Images for J/P Haitian Relief Organization |
During the “New Rules” segment of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher on Friday, the host asserted that even if the former president were to commit the most severe crimes, it wouldn’t affect his standing in the race.
He said, “He’s had relations with a porn star and tried to stage a coup; he steals from charities. If you’re waiting for an October surprise to take him down, dream on. The odds are better for another Joker musical,” referring to the recent box office disappointment, Joker: Folie à Deux.
Maher added, “Trump mentioned last week that actually implementing the Purge, like in the movie, could be a viable crime-fighting strategy. He’s the only candidate whose supporters hope he doesn’t fulfill his campaign promises.”
He pointed out that Democrats have become so accustomed to anticipating an October surprise that when it doesn’t materialize, it feels unusual, “like a party at Diddy’s house where you just dance.” He emphasized that “you can’t surprise a voter who has seen everything.”
The host recalled the Access Hollywood tape in 2016 as a classic October surprise, with many believing it would have a significant impact, as Trump’s behavior of “grabbing pussy” is generally disapproved of. He remarked that it failed to influence the election that year, including James Comey, who, outraged by it, reopened an investigation into Hillary Clinton a few weeks later.
Maher elaborated on why no matter how many scandals Trump finds himself embroiled in, they do not affect his standing with supporters. He said, “Trump’s superpower as a candidate is that he’s been so constantly and ubiquitously awful for so long that it’s simply no longer seen, much like you wouldn’t notice a new face tattoo on Post Malone.”
Nonetheless, he noted that Kamala Harris is “very vulnerable” to an “October surprise” since she is still the most undefined among candidates.
The latest episode of Real Time featured guests David Hogg, Mark Cuban, and Joe Scarborough.
