Bill Maher and Piers Morgan clashed with Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin during a heated debate on Real Time with Bill Maher. Rogin, representing liberal media views, criticized Maher’s recent dinner with Donald Trump, calling it a “PR stunt” for the former president. Maher fired back, accusing Rogin of taking cues from the “cesspool” of internet outrage instead of real-world conversations. The audience cheered as Maher defended his decision to engage with Trump, arguing that shutting down dialogue fuels division.
Rogin insisted most Americans oppose Trump’s policies, like tariffs and border security measures. But Steve Bannon, also on the panel, shot back with data showing Trump’s 2018 tariffs on China —a fact Rogin struggled to counter. Bannon emphasized that working-class voters care about jobs, not partisan talking points. The crowd roared when Bannon declared, “Seal the border, tax the rich, and cut taxes for middle America—that’s how you win.”
The debate turned to Trump’s proposed military parade celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary. Rogin mocked the idea as a vanity project, but Morgan and Bannon praised it as a patriotic display. Morgan compared it to France’s Bastille Day, saying, “Why shouldn’t America celebrate its strength?” Bannon added that such events inspire young people to serve, contrasting it with “woke” critics who “hate American pride.”
Maher blasted Rogin for dismissing Trump’s appeal, pointing to rising support for the former president in polls. “You’re stuck in a coastal media bubble,” Maher said, arguing that Rogin’s focus on “Twitter fights” ignores everyday struggles like inflation and crime. Morgan agreed, saying liberal elites have lost touch with average voters who want secure borders and economic stability.
Rogin tried to pivot to climate change, but Bannon interrupted, calling it a “distraction” from issues like China’s economic threats. He accused the left of using “alarmist rhetoric” to push policies that hurt American manufacturing. Maher nodded, adding, “We can care about the planet without killing our economy.” The audience applauded as Rogin’s arguments fell flat.
The panel also sparred over Trump’s tax policies. Bannon vowed that a second Trump term would eliminate taxes on tips, overtime pay, and Social Security—a direct appeal to service workers and retirees. Rogin claimed this would blow up the deficit, but Bannon retorted, “Biden’s spending crashed the economy. Trump’s cuts will rebuild it.”
In the final minutes, Morgan praised Maher for having the “courage” to talk to Trump despite backlash. Rogin smirked and muttered, “Courage? More like naiveté.” Maher shot back, “At least I’m not scared to leave my echo chamber.” The exchange left Rogin visibly flustered as the audience sided with Maher and Morgan.
The showdown highlighted a growing rift between America’s ruling class and working voters. While Rogin stuck to polished talking points, Maher and Morgan echoed the frustration of citizens tired of divisive politics. As Bannon put it, “Middle America is done with lectures. They want solutions—and Trump gets that.”
