With Donald Trump set to deliver his State of the Union address on February 24, Bill Maher isn’t just offering commentary; rather, he’s calling for the end of the entire tradition. The Real Time host used his platform to give a blistering critique aimed at both the president and the ceremonial spectacle surrounding the speech.
Bill Maher talks about Donald Trump ahead of union address
On the February 20 episode of Real Time With Bill Maher, the 70-year-old comedian dedicated his “New Rule” segment to the upcoming Union address. Maher didn’t mince words when discussing the president’s big moment, comparing the event’s pageantry to a monarchy rather than a democracy. “Since the State of the Union address is next Tuesday, let’s get rid of the State of the Union address before Tuesday,” Maher announced to audience applause.
The HBO host painted a theatrical picture of what viewers will see on Tuesday night. He described the sergeant-at-arms announcing the president “like he’s a king” and Trump walking through chambers “like Conor McGregor heading into the Octagon.” Maher took particular aim at members of Congress lining the aisle “like Medieval peasants hoping to touch the royal garments.”
Beyond the spectacle, the comedian pointed out that the legislative branch holds powers that the State of the Union address visually assigns to the president. “But that’s not what it says in the operating manual—you know, the Constitution,” Maher said.
He reminded viewers that Congress and not the president, has the exclusive power to make laws, declare war, levy taxes, impose tariffs, and confirm judges and cabinet members. The president’s actual role, Maher argued, is far more limited.
Maher closed with a question that cut to the heart of his complaint: “Well, what do you think when we have this big, ballyhooed annual event that looks like the president’s royal wedding to himself?”
Donald Trump’s State of the Union address airs February 24, at 9 p.m. ET, giving Maher’s monologue a timely hook as Americans prepare to watch the pageantry he so thoroughly criticized.
Originally reported by Devanshi Basu for Mandatory.
