On Friday, comedian Bill Maher had some fun at the expense of Vice President Kamala Harris, who recently gave her first interview since announcing her presidential campaign. This came after President Joe Biden stepped out of the race on July 21 amid party tensions and endorsed Harris right after his withdrawal.
In a pre-recorded chat with CNN’s Dana Bash, Harris teamed up with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz for their inaugural television interview as the 2024 Democratic ticket. The interview followed ongoing criticism from Republicans about her lack of public appearances since Biden’s exit.
For Maher, the moment was “exciting.” He remarked on his HBO show, Real Time with Bill Maher, that Labor Day marks the true kick-off of the race, and the interview added to the buzz. However, he humorously noted Walz’s presence, saying it felt odd that he remained silent, just nodding while Harris spoke. “It’s like watching Jeopardy! when one of the players can’t seem to buzz in,” Maher quipped.
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During the interview, Harris defended “Bidenomics,” claiming it was effective while acknowledging there was more work to do. She highlighted the administration’s efforts to boost domestic manufacturing and provide tax credits for families with children.
When asked about her views on fracking and the border situation with Mexico, Harris reiterated that her core values have stayed the same, despite claims of a policy shift.
However, she avoided pressing topics like abortion or the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which disappointed Maher. “The media was furious that she wouldn’t give an interview, and now there’s no mention of these key issues. No wonder young folks get their news from TikTok,” he said.
Maher also critiqued the common question posed to politicians: “What would you do on day one?” He expressed his desire for a more realistic answer, jokingly suggesting that unpacking boxes could be a fitting response.
In response to the question, Harris outlined her plan for an “opportunity economy” to help manage costs of living and proposed extending the child tax credit to $6,000 for the first year of a child’s life.
Following the CNN interview, former President Trump took to Truth Social with a single-word reaction: “BORING!!!” Maher, in a lighter vein, replied during his show, “Good! I want boring. That’s what Harris/Walz should be, not Deadpool/Wolverine.”