Bill Maher Praises Donald Trump & Republicans With Backhanded Compliment

Michelle Stein September 26, 2026, 2:47 pm

What To Know

Bill Maher highlighted a significant bipartisan reduction in drug-related deaths, crediting both Democrats and Republicans
He gave a backhanded compliment to Republicans and Trump, and noted that accidental cooperation between parties led to positive results.
Maher criticized the current political climate’s aversion to bipartisanship, arguing that collaboration can lead to real progress for the American people.

Bill Maher praised President Donald Trump and Republicans with a backhanded compliment before addressing their role in decreasing drug-related deaths alongside Democrats.

In the Friday, September 25 episode of Real Time With Bill Maher, during his “New Rule” segment, Maher, 70, commended a bipartisan effort to save lives. Even if it wasn’t necessarily on purpose.

“It’s not a crime when people from opposing parties work together for the good of the American people,” the late-night host pointed out. “And it shouldn’t be a scandal if they talk to each other.”

After using criticism of a meeting between Jared Kushner and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) as an example, Maher complimented Republicans while joking at their expense.

“Bipartisanship is such a dirty concept now that we can only practice it in secret. Like how Republicans do with homosexuality,” he quipped.

Additionally, Maher recalled a time in politics when bipartisanship was celebrated, and when Democrats and Republicans would come together to sign bills. He also gave an example of recent, but accidental, bipartisanship that has saved lives.

“Here’s what’s crazy: The progress we’ve made in the last few years in both street drugs and prescription drugs is truly phenomenal. And no one’s talking about it,” the stand-up comedian said. “Deaths involving fentanyl are down 55% from their peak. Cocaine, down 37%. Heroin, 89%. There’s been a 34% decrease in meth-related deaths, which has led to a 64% increase in teeth.”

Maher explained that the process happened “mostly because Democrats did some things, and Republicans did other things.” He added, “And by not actually ever working together, they stumbled upon positive change. Or as Trump put it, ‘It was all me.'”

During his “New Rule” segment, Maher also credited former President Joe Biden and Democrats for working toward making Narcan more accessible.

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“That contributed a lot to the huge decrease in drug deaths,” he said. “But so did closing the border and deporting gangbangers and disrupting supply. Narcan worked, and law enforcement worked. You see, mommy and daddy, for the sake of the kids, work together even though they hate each other.”

Maher added, “When Democrats expand the safety net, there are less desperate people. And because Trump is a bada**. No, I don’t agree with many of his methods — like how they sometimes just deport people to countries where they have absolutely no connection. Like Meghan [Markle] and [Prince] Harry.”

Although Maher reiterated that he doesn’t support Trump’s methods of icing ICE for mass deportation, he did give the 80-year-old president credit.

“Is doing it this way the right thing? No,” he said. “But it’s just childish to pretend that when you elect a f***-around-and-find-out president, a no-more-Mr.-Nice-Guy, boot-in-your a**, V -for-Vendetta, kick-a**-and-take-names, say-hello-to-my-little-friend president, that’s not gonna have some effect on crime. He has UFC fights on the [White House] lawn. I think the bad guys got the message.”

Real Time With Bill Maher, Fridays at 10/9c, HBO