Bill Maher and Stephen A. Smith recently discussed the reasons behind Donald Trump’s increased support among Black voters in the latest presidential election.
During an in-depth conversation on Maher’s Club Random Podcast, the two media figures analyzed how Trump’s rhetoric resonates with voters of color.
Maher, the host of HBO’s Real Time, expressed his view that Black people see Trump as a racist. He added that there is a common belief among Black individuals that many white people, including Trump, hold racist attitudes, especially in private conversations.
“That right there!” Smith replied. “That second part is very, very important.”
Smith, a frequent presence on ESPN, pointed out that while he doesn’t generalize all white people as racist, he acknowledged the prevalent belief among Black Americans that white individuals have dissimilar life experiences.
“When you talk about how Trump talks, we’re going like this: ‘So that’s the first time he talked like that? When he became president?’” Smith said. “We know better than that. We know better than that.
“We know that ain’t the first time, and we know that the people he was friends with all these years, he talked just like that around y’all, and y’all didn’t have no problem with it. Don’t act like you have a problem with it now.”
Nationally, Trump made significant inroads with Black voters during this election, particularly among Black men. According to The Associated Press, nearly 30% of Black men under 45 voted for him—almost double the share from 2020. His support among Hispanic voters also increased.
Although Trump has faced accusations of using racist or offensive language, many voters prioritized issues such as the economy, immigration, and housing over these concerns.
Maher has criticized Democrats for not addressing the core needs of voters, arguing they focus too heavily on demographics.
“I don’t think his motivation is ‘I don’t like Black people.’ I think his motivation is ‘everybody must love me,’” Maher said.
Smith echoed Maher’s frustration and expressed dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party’s approach to voter engagement.
“The Democrats have gotten on my last damn nerve. If it wasn’t for Trump, I would have voted Republican because I’m so sick of how they are,” Smith said. “It’s always about the other side and engaging in demagoguery for you to get my vote as opposed to really articulating what you’re bringing to the table to offer me.”
You can watch Maher’s latest Club Random Podcast episode with Steven A. Smith above. There was no new episode of Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO this week, as last week was the Season 22 finale. It has been renewed for Season 23, which should return in early 2025.
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