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Comedian Bill Maher criticized Democrats for inadvertently boosting President Donald Trump’s popularity, claiming their political missteps have made the president appear “cool” just a week into his presidency. Speaking on Friday’s episode of Max’s “Real Time with Bill Maher,” Maher highlighted Trump’s unexpected cultural reach. “Here’s how bad the Democrats f***** up: Trump is cool now,” he said. “He’s not just the most powerful guy in the world or the richest—he’s actually kind of [cool] at 78!”
Maher pointed out that rappers and athletes have started showing support for Trump, a stark contrast to their typical alignment with Democrats. Hip-hop artists like Nelly, Rick Ross, and Snoop Dogg performed at Trump’s inaugural events, along with the Village People, further solidifying his unconventional appeal across cultural lines. Maher suggested that this support has elevated Trump’s image in ways Democrats failed to counteract effectively.
Despite this, Democrats have worked to combat Trump’s popularity by launching media campaigns and fact-checking his policies. However, some party strategists, including James Carville, have taken a different approach.
Carville advised Democrats to let Trump’s behavior work against him. “He just says anything he wants to say. He’s just going to keep plowing through,” Carville said during a Friday interview on MSNBC. “What we have to learn as Democrats is just let him punch himself out.”
During his first week in office, Trump signed several controversial executive orders, including one targeting birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants. While these moves energized his base, they also faced immediate legal challenges.
Democrats responded with lawsuits and press conferences aimed at opposing these measures and reassuring affected communities. “We’re going to fight to protect our local communities and uphold basic rights,” one Democratic leader vowed during a press briefing.
Maher warned that Trump’s growing cultural appeal could present new challenges for Democrats, particularly as the president continues to use his platform to dominate public attention. “He’s not just a politician anymore; he’s a phenomenon,” Maher said, urging Democrats to rethink their strategy.
Trump’s actions during his first week in office have drawn mixed reactions, with supporters praising his boldness and critics condemning his policies as divisive and short-sighted.
As Democrats look to counter Trump’s growing influence, internal debates persist about how to navigate a political landscape where Trump continues to capture attention and dominate the conversation, leaving the party searching for an effective response.
