Comedian Bill Maher criticized Democrats for allowing President Donald Trump's popularity to rise following his first week in office.
Trump is cool now," Maher said on Real Time with Bill Maher. "He's not just the most powerful guy in the world and just made himself like the richest, he's actually kind of [cool] at 78!"
Maher pointed to rappers and athletes sharing their liking of the new president. Nelly, Rick Ross, and Snoop Dogg all performed at inaugural events, in addition to the Village People.
"I mean, rappers like him, the athletes are doing..." Maher added as he gestured Trump's well-known rally dance.
"I was making fun of him, jing off two guys at one time, and now he owns it. And now they're doing it!" Maher said.
"I mean, the Village People are gay for Trump now!" he added.
Democratic California Rep. Ro Khanna pushed back, noting that Trump has "always been a celebrity." Trump became well-known after his many appearances in New York tabloids and as host of The Apprentice on NBC. He also made cameos in films and on TV.
ESPN host Stephen A. Smith said Democrats should bear the blame for Trump's celebrity as liberal stars "all loved him until he ran for office."
"You know what would be nice in this country?... Do we have to have the celebrity president?" Khanna asked on the Friday show. "I mean, is it all about coolness? How about being cool as president is actually about helping people?"
"That horse has left the barn," said Maher.
Smith and Maher criticized Democrats for moving too far to the left, allowing Trump to win back the White House.
"The man was impeached twice. He was convicted on 34 felony counts, and the American people still said he's closer to normal than what we see on the left," Smith argued.
"Why? Because something that pertains when you talk about the transgender community, for example, you talk about the issues that pertain to less than 1 percent of the population, the Democratic Party came across as if that was a priority more so than the other issues," he added.
7 Comments
Africa
Finally, someone's calling out the Democrats for their own role in Trump's rise. They need to get in touch with the average American.
Muchacha
It's time for the left to stop being so self-righteous and start listening to the people they claim to represent.
Donatello
Stephen A. Smith is right, the Democrats did embrace Trump before he ran for office. They need to take some responsibility.
Raphael
It's not about coolness, it's about connecting with people. Trump understands how to speak to voters in a way Democrats haven't.
Leonardo
Maher's point about celebrities and athletes is valid. If they're embracing Trump, maybe there's something to it.
Eric Cartman
The 'horse has left the barn' because Democrats have been stuck in their own echo chamber for too long.
Raphael
The left needs to stop being so offended by everything and start focusing on finding common ground with people who have different views.