By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-16 13:21:25 | Updated at 2024-11-16 15:29:53
2 hours ago
Bill Maher unleashed on Donald Trump's controversial cabinet picks as he joked that Matt Gaetz was only nominated for Attorney General because 'Diddy wasn't available.'
The talk show host, 68, used his Friday night monologue to scathe Trump's unorthodox nominees - also including Tulsi Gabbard, RFK Jr., and Pete Hegseth - saying the president-elect 'hit the ground trolling.'
'Two basic qualities you need: absolute loyalty to Trump and a name that makes liberals cry,' he said. 'So, Trump's dream candidate is a service animal named 'sugar t**s.'
Maher said of all the nominees, 'the one who caused the most consternation was Matt Gaetz as Attorney General - because Diddy was not available.'
'It's a bit of an unorthodox pick, I think we can agree to that,' he added. 'Usually a president wants someone as Attorney General who's familiar with Justice Department investigations, but not as a target of them himself.
'Matt is floating a new policy in the Justice Department — don't ask, don't card.'
Maher was referencing a Justice Department investigation into Gaetz on suspicion of child sex trafficking, which are among the same charges facing disgraced rapper Sean 'Diddy' Combs.
The DOJ investigation into Gaetz was closed last year without charges, and he denies the allegations against him.
Bill Maher unleashed on Donald Trump's controversial cabinet picks in his Friday night monologue, joking that Matt Gaetz was only nominated for Attorney General because ' Diddy wasn't available'
Maher was referencing a Justice Department investigation into Gaetz on suspicion of child sex trafficking, which are among the same charges facing disgraced rapper Sean 'Diddy' Combs. The DOJ investigation into Gaetz was closed last year without charges, and he denies the allegations against him
Maher, a staunch Trump critic who has also criticized the far-left wing of the Democratic Party in recent years, admitted many liberals were struggling to come to terms with Donald Trump's landslide election victory.
'Liberal women are among the most p***ed off,' he said, noting that some have taken to denying sex to men who voted for Donald Trump.
'Well, all I can say is finally progressives found a way to turn something blue,' he added.
Moving onto Trump's other cabinet picks, Maher pointed to the nomination of Pete Hegseth, a weekend co-host of Fox and Friends, as Defense Secretary.
Many have said Hegseth, a combat veteran, lacks the high-level experience needed to run the United States military, and Maher said Trump only decided on the host because he 'found out Jack Reacher was not a real guy.'
Mocking Hegseth's morning talk show presenting style, Maher quipped: 'We'll be right back but first, more bombs.'
Maher then joked that Wheel of Fortune star Vanna White should become Secretary of Education and the 'Hawk Tuah girl' should get the nod for Secretary of Commerce.
'That's what happens when you lose elections,' Maher concluded.
'And don't expect the normal Republicans to save you. There's no more Republicans. This is the Trump party and if he chooses Kanye to be ambassador to Israel, say, Hi' to Yeezus of Nazareth.'
Maher also took aim at Trump's pick for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth - with many feeling the Fox and Friends co-host (pictured) lacks the high-level experience needed to run the United States military
It comes as Trump has been holed up at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida since his thumping election victory as he focuses on his transition back into government.
Elon Musk, a major Trump backer in the election, has taken a central role in the transition team and has been joining Trump's meetings with world leaders, raising eyebrows among some observers.
This week, it emerged that Musk has met a leading Iranian official ahead of attempts by the incoming Donald Trump administration to calm tensions in the Middle East.
Not content with taking the axe to America's bloated bureaucracy on behalf of the incoming President, the billionaire has seemingly turned his hand to foreign policy.
The Tesla tycoon – also appointed by Trump to lead a new US Department of Government Efficiency – spent more than an hour meeting Iran's ambassador to the UN, it was reported Thursday.
Their 'positive' encounter aimed at defusing tensions between the countries is being seen as an early sign that 'deal-maker' Trump is serious about diplomacy with Tehran. That is despite an alleged Iranian-led plot to assassinate him weeks before he stormed back to the White House.
