Bill Maher criticized the Democratic party for being “losers” and urged them to reflect on their defeat following Kamala Harris’ loss to President-elect Donald Trump. Though Maher did not vote for Trump, he accepted the election results, unlike some of his late-night counterparts. He emphasized the need for the Democrats to reevaluate their party and platform after the embarrassing loss. Maher urged the “losers” to look in the mirror and take responsibility for the defeat.
Maher pointed out that Democrats could not believe Trump’s victory in the election and that they should have anticipated a second term for him. He mentioned that Trump won all seven swing states and received nearly 9 million more votes than in the previous election, showing improvement across various demographics. Maher also expressed concern over Harris’s lack of support among Black men, noting that the party needed to shore up its support among this demographic.
Despite Trump’s victory, Maher assured his audience that he would continue making jokes and hosting his show. He maintained an upbeat attitude and continued to make humorous remarks about both political parties. Maher’s post-election plans were in stark contrast to the emotional reactions of his late-night peers, such as Jimmy Kimmel, who broke down in tears during the opening of his show. Kimmel described the election as a “terrible night for everyone” and struggled to find words to address the audience.
Seth Meyers and Stephen Colbert took different approaches to their post-election shows, with Meyers sarcastically revealing that he had voted for Harris. Colbert, on the other hand, adopted a more somber tone and checked in on his fans, acknowledging that many people were struggling to cope with the outcome of the election. Overall, Maher’s criticism of the Democratic party, combined with his determination to continue making jokes, highlighted the different reactions and perspectives within the late-night comedy landscape following the election results. The contrast in approaches also reflected the diverse emotions and sentiments felt by individuals across the country in response to Trump’s victory.