In, perhaps, one of Bill Maher's most profound "New Rules" segments, he explained how Donald Trump managed to reach the point where he will likely win at least 20 states even after saying or doing some of the most irrational things from any candidate.
"Last November when Trump was losing in Iowa, he said in Iowa, to Iowans,'How stupid are the people of Iowa?' Maher said, playing the Clip of Trump. He noted that Trump is now leading in Iowa and expected to win. "So I guess he got his answer. That's how stupid."
"Florida is a climate ravaged state full of old people," Maher continued. "And they elected, as governor, a climate change denier, who, as a businessman, oversaw the largest Medicare fraud in history."
It isn't only Republicans either. According to Maher. Many of Bernie Sanders' supporters have switched to being Gary Johnson voters. Yet, Johnson essentially opposes everything that Sanders stands for, with the exception of marijuana legalization.
Maher quoted results from recent polls where Americans were asked a series of what should have been very simple questions. Things like: "Does the sun go around the earth or the earth around the sun." A full quarter of Americans got the answer wrong. At the same time, 35 percent of Americans can't name one branch of government. Even the Governor of Oklahoma, an avid Trump supporter, got that one wrong. Sadly, only 36 percent can name all three branches and who knows how many people think the kardashianK are one of them? Maher cited a whopping 80 percent of Americans who think Ramadan is those cheap noodles college kids eat.
Just seven years ago, Maher did an interview on CNN where he said that he didn't think Sarah Palin could ever be president but, "I wouldn't put anything past this stupid country." After the commercial break, CNN's Wolf Blitzer noted that Maher was getting a lot of flack online and asked if Maher wanted to clarify his comments. Maher said no, he said exactly what he meant.
Maher went on to say that blowing up the world is something that could actually happen and if you don't believe it you aren't watching enough movies. He cites the futuristic predictions of flip phones in "Star Trek," iPads in "2001: A Space Odyssey," even reality television and the rise of Fox News in the movie "Network." Not to mention "Forrest Gump" came out in 1991, way before George W. Bush was elected ten years later.
Lately, however, Hollywood has been talking about an apocalyptic world. From "V for Vendetta," to "Hunger Games," "Divergent," "The Matrix," "Interstellar" and even "Wall-e" are all films that predict humans bringing down our own planet. "In 'The Day the Earth Stood Still,' Keanu Reeves plays an alien who comes to Earth to exterminate mankind because stupid, selfish humans are destroying a perfectly good planet." While humans managed to convince Reeves the alien that humans can change, you have to figure, he kind of had a point.
"In half of these movies, with 'after humanity destroys itself in the great war, in what's left of government decided human passions needed to be controlled,'" Maher said in a creepy announcer voice. "Controlled by Kate Winslet in 'Divergent.' Julianne Moore in 'The Hunger Games.' Jodi Foster in 'Elysium.' Tilda Swinton in 'Snowpiercer.' Meryl Streep in 'The Giver.' Who says, 'When people have the freedom to choose, they choose wrong.' I know that makes her the bad guy, but did you watch the Republican primaries? I think I'm with Meryl on this one."
Maher showed photos of some of Trump's "deplorables" and said, "if it's between letting these people decide things or a cold, technocratic boss, lady in a pantsuit, I'll take the lady in the pantsuit."
Watch it all below:
