Real Time with Bill Maher – Episode #710
Guests: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Andrew Ross Sorkin, Mark Cuban
Date: October 18, 2025
Podcast Host: Bill Maher – HBO Podcasts
Overview
This lively episode of “Real Time with Bill Maher” brings together iconic guests—former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, business mogul Mark Cuban, and financial journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin—for a spirited discussion about American politics, global diplomacy, democracy, capitalism, and the future of technology. The episode stands out for examining the paradoxes of the current political climate, the meaning of patriotism and democracy, and the paths forward for both parties. Laced with Maher’s signature humor and bluntness, the conversation navigates the complexities of governance, market speculation, emerging tech, and polarized media.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Opening Monologue & Political Satire
Timestamps: 01:57 – 08:00
- Maher’s Satirical Recap: Maher opens with comedic takes on the state of peace in Gaza, the return of hostages, and Donald Trump’s surprising diplomatic triumph (“If there’s one thing he’s good at, it’s sending people back where they came from.” [03:05]).
- Critiquing Political Hypocrisy: Jokes about both left and right are underscored, e.g., liberals’ protest tactics (“I went into the attic to find my pussy hat and then the moths have gotten to it.” [04:21]) and Trump’s alleged authoritarian streak (“He’s like an authoritarian Taylor Swift.” [05:13]).
Gerrymandering, Democracy, & Reform
Timestamps: 08:15 – 18:32 Guests: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bill Maher
- Gerrymandering’s Escalation: Maher describes Trump’s aggressive redistricting maneuvers (“Trump does everything 10 times more than other people have done… This is where the politicians pick the voters...” [08:27]).
- Schwarzenegger’s Stance: Strong defense of California’s independent redistricting commission and people-over-party approach.
- Quote: “The people have to win… I’m not a Republican hack. I always serve the people. The people are first.” [11:53–12:04]
- Dilemma of Unilateral Disarmament: Maher asks if it’s fair for Democrats to play by old rules if Republicans are gerrymandering aggressively. Schwarzenegger insists on leading by example, even at political cost.
- Saving Democracy Proposals: Schwarzenegger advocates a “Save Democracy Act”—make Election Day a holiday, enforce independent redistricting, and require voter ID.
- Quote: “There’s something the Republicans like. There’s something the Democrats like. Get together and solve this problem.” [17:41]
The Evolution of the Republican Party & Schwarzenegger’s Philosophy
Timestamps: 12:37 – 16:41
- On Republican Values: Schwarzenegger positions himself as a “traditional Republican,” lamenting the party’s change and recalling roots (Lincoln, Nixon, Reagan).
- Quote: “Things change. I’m a traditional Republican… The party has changed now. This is clear. But… we have to fight to get the party back and to get the philosophy back.” [13:27–14:46]
- Bipartisan Brainpower: Arnold touts his time as California governor, where “working with Democrats and Republicans together, we have the ultimate brain power and we can really accomplish things.” [15:16]
California Politics & Reflecting on Moderation
Timestamps: 15:43 – 16:41
- Democratic Dominance in California: Maher highlights how the state has become so blue that moderate Republicans can barely compete. Katie Porter’s dismissal of Trump voters exemplifies current polarization.
- Schwarzenegger’s National Call: Pushes for nationwide reforms to voting and redistricting, suggesting that fair competition and performance—not rule changing—is the path forward.
State of the Movie Business
Timestamps: 18:32 – 20:02
- Arnold on Hollywood: Despite doom-mongering, Schwarzenegger is optimistic about film’s prospects: “Whenever a good movie comes out… everyone is going to go and run to the theater.” [19:44]
- The Key to Success: “If a movie is not that good, why would you be excited… to sit in a theater and look at some shit? We don’t want to do that.” [19:48]
Panel: Trump as Diplomat vs. Domestic Threat
Timestamps: 20:02 – 24:27 Guests: Mark Cuban, Andrew Ross Sorkin, Bill Maher
- Can Trump’s Achievements Be Separated? The group debates if one can credit the former president for breakthroughs in the Middle East while condemning his anti-democratic behaviors at home.
- Quote (Sorkin): “You can give this president a standing ovation for getting to this point and not give him the Nobel Peace Prize. Right?” [21:48]
- Quote (Cuban): “If he’s good at getting deals done overseas, give him credit for it. If he’s not so good domestically, give him shit for it.” [22:19]
The Business of Peace & Unorthodox Problem Solving
Timestamps: 24:27 – 26:37
- Trump’s Unique Tactics: Maher singles out Trump’s “real estate guy” approach to Middle East peace (Kushner, Witkoff), suggesting outsiders broke through where diplomats failed.
- Refreshing Realpolitik: Trump’s transactional diplomacy—focusing on “actual countries” rather than “Palestine as a center”—is credited for results. The panel notes shared “hat trick” support among both Jews and Arabs.
Media Symmetry & Sympathy
Timestamps: 26:37 – 27:47
- Conversation on Two Truths: The guests agree it’s possible to oppose Hamas while sympathizing with Palestinians—an unpopular “nuance” in current public discourse.
- Quote (Sorkin): “I can do that. And by the way, I’m an American Jew who thinks that Israel needs to be supported in all this. I don’t understand why… we can’t have that conversation.” [26:37]
Lessons from 1929 & Today’s Tech Bubble
Timestamps: 27:47 – 34:50
- Sorkin’s Depression Research: References his new book, “1929,” to illustrate recurring economic and human behavioral patterns. Compares past speculation on radio to today’s tech/AI boom.
- Modern Speculation & Leverage: Cuban and Sorkin discuss how AI resembles prior technology bubbles, warning against excessive “margin” (debt) and shadow banking.
- Quote (Cuban): “Where we are today is just a smidgen of where [AI’s] going to be… still in the first preseason game in the first inning.” [30:26]
The Future of AI, Work, and Economy
Timestamps: 32:47 – 34:50
- Disruptive Automation: Maher warns that AI may “put everyone out of work.” Cuban counters that real innovation can still disrupt dominant players like Amazon.
- Quote (Cuban): “Amazon can be replaced… Like RCA. RCA was the dominant company.” [33:13]
Shadow Banking, Debt, and Economic Anxiety
Timestamps: 33:54 – 34:50
- Hidden Risk: Sorkin highlights unseen risks from leverage in the “shadow banking system”—new sources of instability compared to traditional bank loans.
Democracy vs. Capitalism – America’s Twin Pillars
Timestamps: 35:49 – 41:44
- Party Priorities: Maher asserts that Republicans are deprioritizing democracy, while Democrats are moving from capitalism toward “democratic socialism.”
- Kids Rejecting Capitalism: Cuban links skepticism toward capitalism to social media and successful left-wing messaging, especially among young people.
The Power of Messaging in Politics
Timestamps: 41:45 – 43:10
- Democratic Messaging Struggles: Cuban contends Democrats lack effective communicators; Mondami is cited as a rare exception. Trump’s ability to “sell” is cited as a key reason for his continued influence.
- Quote (Cuban): “Nobody in the Democratic Party knows how to sell but him [Mondami]… Just like Donald Trump won because of his ability to sell.” [41:46]
Katie Porter – Meltdowns, Authenticity, and the Appeal of Anger
Timestamps: 43:10 – 45:16
- Public Anger as Strategy: The panel debates whether Porter’s public outburst reflects public frustration (“People don’t like faking anything. This is a new age apology.” [44:27]) or just political toxicity. Cuban jokes she’s “auditioning for Horrible Bosses 3.” [44:48]
- Authenticity in Politics: Sorkin argues realness—even abrasive—conveys authenticity.
Polarization & Manufactured Division
Timestamps: 45:53 – 49:30
- Weaponized Rhetoric: Maher and the panel analyze right-wing commentary proclaiming Democrats as composed of “Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens and violent criminals.” This is seen as strategic rage-bait amplifying division.
- Maher’s Warning: “If you really believe this, I would vote for a right wing coup…” [47:04]
Power, Leverage, and the Danger of Manufactured Crisis
Timestamps: 49:02 – 50:12
- Leveraging Power: Sorkin frames much of Washington’s behavior as a quest for leverage—over people, institutions, or international counterparts.
- Quote (Sorkin): “The through line on all of these things is… leverage… that is the single piece of the whole thing.” [49:02]
“New Rules” Segment – Media, Truth, and Escaping the Algorithm
Timestamps: 50:12 – 59:08 Bill Maher solo
- Media Critique: Maher sharply criticizes selective reporting by both left and right media, denouncing echo chambers and biased algorithms.
- Quote: “If you think your job is just to tell people what they want to hear, you’re not a journalist. You’re a wedding DJ.” [50:12]
- Algorithmic Entrapment: Urges listeners to escape filter bubbles by intentionally seeking diverse content—“fuck with the algorithm.”
- Quote: “If you need every story in your feed to be, ‘my team wins and here’s why,’… you’re weak and deliberately keeping yourself ignorant. And yes, that goes for both sides.” [57:52]
- Call for Open-Mindedness: Describes the dangers of being shaped by algorithms, and prescribes clicking on unfamiliar content to break out of digital “ghettos.” [59:08]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Arnold Schwarzenegger [11:53]: “You know who I want to win? The people. The people have to win.”
- Andrew Ross Sorkin [21:48]: “You can give this president a standing ovation for getting to this point and not give him the Nobel Peace Prize. Right?”
- Mark Cuban [22:19]: “If he’s good at getting deals done overseas, give him credit for it. If he’s not so good domestically, give him shit for it.”
- Bill Maher [50:12]: “If you think your job is just to tell people what they want to hear, you’re not a journalist. You’re a wedding DJ.”
Section Timestamps
| Segment | Time | |---------------------------------------|--------------| | Political Satire/Monologue | 01:57–08:00 | | Gerrymandering & Democracy | 08:15–18:32 | | Schwarzenegger on GOP Philosophy | 12:37–16:41 | | California’s Political Landscape | 15:43–16:41 | | Movie Business Discussion | 18:32–20:02 | | Panel: Foreign Diplomacy v. Domestic | 20:02–24:27 | | Trump’s Middle East Strategy | 24:27–26:37 | | Two Truths in Israel/Palestine | 26:37–27:47 | | 1929 vs. Today – Sorkin | 27:47–34:50 | | AI, Economy, & Tech Disruption | 32:47–34:50 | | Shadow Banking & Leverage | 33:54–34:50 | | Democracy vs. Capitalism | 35:49–41:44 | | The Power of Political Messaging | 41:45–43:10 | | The Katie Porter Meltdown Debate | 43:10–45:16 | | Weaponized Division / Polarization | 45:53–49:30 | | Power & Leveraging Crisis | 49:02–50:12 | | New Rules & Media Critique | 50:12–59:08 |
Tone
The overall tone is witty, irreverent, and deeply engaged but not without seriousness. Maher and his guests mix biting humor with earnest critique, especially regarding democracy, media responsibility, and the potential for both dystopia and progress in American politics and technology.
Who Should Listen
Listeners who want a wide-ranging, culture-savvy take on America’s current political and social landscape—especially those interested in the intersections of politics, economics, and technology, or who appreciate frank bipartisan debate with a humorous edge.