Bill Maher used his “New Rule” segment on “Real Time With Bill Maher” to challenge calls to boycott July 4 because Donald Trump is president, arguing that no political side should “own” patriotism. He urged viewers to get excited for the U.S.’s 250th birthday
Bill Maher didn’t wait for fireworks to make his point.
In his “New Rule” segment for Friday’s “Real Time With Bill Maher,” the comedian pushed back at people boycotting July 4 because Donald Trump is in the White House—urging viewers to keep their energy up for the nation’s 250th birthday.
“Everybody has to start getting a little more excited for America’s birthday,” Maher said. “Come on. Our big 250 is coming up. It’s on July 4th for the kids in our public school. And I think that’s a pretty big deal.”
He then zeroed in on the reason some on the left are holding back. “Problem is, there’s a stink on it because you know who is president right now. So the left half of the country fears he’ll make the anniversary about him – of course he will.”
For Maher, the real question wasn’t whether Trump might try to attach himself to the celebration. It was whether Americans would carry the event anyway.
“We shouldn’t. This is about America. He isn’t America. He’s the temporary caretaker of America. America’s employee,” Maher said. “And the message should be that America isn’t actually his and that no one’s side gets to own being psyched about the country. So. I’m not down with this attitude of. ‘Well. we’re having a party. but if Trump’s going. I’m not.’”.
Maher mocked the idea of skipping the celebration as childish—calling it “so high school” it should “be in the Epstein files.”
He kept the pressure on with a reminder that July 4 is bigger than the politics dominating the news cycle. “Go to the party. It’s a big celebration. You probably won’t run into him,” Maher quipped. “This country is 3.8 million square miles, and that’s without Greenland.”
Still, Maher argued that Trump blurs the line between himself and the country on purpose. “Look, I’m not saying Trump doesn’t want to muddy the distinction between himself and the country. He is sure as s–t does. That’s what wannabe authoritarians do. They try to blur that line. Don’t be an accomplice.”.
Even as he criticized the mindset behind the boycotts, Maher insisted the moment was worth marking. He pointed out that Trump’s effort to “act like a king” has been checked “multiple times over the last 10 years.”
“America may right now be the country Donald Trump is president of. but America is also everything that keeps Trump from being the king he wishes he were. ” Maher said. “So. this Fourth of July. let’s celebrate the genius American idea of checks and balances. which yes. is threatened and yes. is taking on water. but is still afloat.”.
Maher’s full commentary is available in the video clip shared with the segment.
New episodes of “Real Time With Bill Maher” air Fridays at 10 p.m. ET on HBO.
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