Bill Maher Addresses Rumored 'Real Time' Exit After Trump Election

LOADINGERROR LOADINGBill Maher says he won’t be leaving HBO’s “Real Time” anytime soon.The comedian and political pundit confirmed as much during an interview Friday on CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper,” after suggesting in December on his “Club Random” podcast that he “may quit” due to Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential election a month prior.“What I was saying was that I didn’t want to do another Trump term,” Maher told Tapper.“Not just because I don’t think it’s going to be possibly a great time for America ...

but because I’ve already done all the jokes about Donald Trump.I don’t know what else to say.”Advertisement “I was hoping that in the episodic television show that is America, I was hoping for some new characters,” he added, about Trump’s continued cultural and political reign.

“But it’s like they rebooted ‘Matlock,’ but instead of getting Kathy Bates they put Andy Griffith back in it.”The 1980s legal drama starring Griffith was rebooted last year with Bates in the titular role.Maher sparked rumors about his potential “Real Time” exit while discussing the election on his podcast and telling guest Jane Fonda that he “may quit because I don’t want to do another” four years of Trump jokes on his HBO show, which has aired weekly since 2003.“I did Trump,” he continued on his podcast at the time.“I did all the Trump stuff before anybody.

I called him a con man before anybody.I did.

He’s a mafia boss.I was the one who said he wasn’t going to concede the election.

I’ve done it.”Advertisement Maher argued Friday that Trump's second presidential term will be "perfect for comedy."Left: Noam Galai/Getty Images; Right: Evan Vucci/Associated PressMaher correctly predicted Trump’s ongoing refusal to concede the 2020 election to President Joe Biden.But the comedian told Tapper that he won’t let Trump “get in my mind” — and downplayed his prior concerns.“I�...