Bill Maher's Studio Audience Groans at Joke About Trump Getting Protest 'Pointers' From Iran | Video
Bill Maher's return to the stage for a new season on Friday was marked by a series of sharp and biting jokes. However, one particular quip about Iran and Donald Trump's relationship sparked a noticeable groan from the studio audience, rather than laughter.
"Iran, I know this is big here in LA, with a large Iranian population," Maher began his monologue. "And they're having the largest protests ever, as reported by the Wrap (https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/politics/iran-filmmakers-protests-blackout-jafar-panahi-mohammad-rasoulof/). They believe this time might be different, that they can overthrow the theocracy, because Trump has promised to help."
He continued, "But Iran is dealing with the protesters by killing them in the streets (https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/jafar-panahi-iran-protests-hollywood-support-national-board-of-review/). Trump, in response, said, 'We are watching ... mostly for pointers.'"
The audience's reaction was telling; many groaned, while others laughed and clapped. Maher himself couldn't help but react to the joke, stifling a laugh before moving on. He then shifted the focus to the protests in Minneapolis, which have intensified following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good by ICE (https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/tv-shows/seth-meyers-renee-good-killing-reaction-these-days-suck/).
"The images from Minneapolis are just f–king ugly, aren't they?" Maher asked. "I mean, wow. Did you see the 5-year-old boy going to school? His penmanship says it all, he's the worst of the worst."
Later in his address, Maher sarcastically criticized Trump's plans to send ICE to Maine, calling it a 'hotbed of crime.' He quipped, 'This is Trump's s–t list: Greenland, Maine, and Minnesota, the axis of hot chocolate.'
The full monologue can be watched above. 'Real Time With Bill Maher' airs new episodes on Fridays at 10 p.m. ET on HBO.
