Overtime – Episode #691: Steve Bannon, Piers Morgan, Josh Rogin

Summary

Real Time with Bill Maher – Episode #691: Steve Bannon, Piers Morgan, Josh Rogin
Release Date: April 15, 2025
Host: Bill Maher
Guests: Steve Bannon, Piers Morgan, Josh Rogin

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1. Military Parade on the 250th Army Anniversary

Discussion:
Bill Maher opens the episode by addressing reports that the Trump administration plans to hold a military parade on the 250th anniversary of the Army's founding, coinciding with President Trump’s birthday. The panel debates the implications of showcasing military power through public displays.

Key Points:

• Steve Bannon and Bill Maher express strong support for the parade, seeing it as a means to inspire patriotism and encourage military enlistment.
• Josh Rogin raises concerns about government spending priorities, questioning the efficiency of allocating defense dollars to parades rather than other needs.
• Piers Morgan compares the planned parade to similar events in the UK, highlighting that such displays are common in other countries.

Notable Quotes:

• Steve Bannon [01:44]: "It's a way to inspire people, as you know, Josh, young men and women to join the military."
• Bill Maher [02:20]: "I don't want America to get used to the sight of tanks in the streets. That's what I don't."

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2. Rise of Religious Engagement Among Gen Z

Discussion:
The conversation shifts to the purported increase in religious activities among Generation Z in the UK. The panel explores the underlying reasons and the authenticity of these trends.

Key Points:

• Piers Morgan speculates that the decline in societal stability may drive young people towards religion as a source of comfort.
• Josh Rogin humorously dismisses the seriousness of the trend, citing his own daughter's disinterest in traditional religion.
• Bill Maher expresses skepticism, questioning the data behind the claim and noting the general decline in church attendance.

Notable Quotes:

• Piers Morgan [02:37]: "If you saw the state of our country right now, there's a lot to go and pray about."
• Josh Rogin [02:58]: "My daughter's too. Her only religion is Bluey."

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3. Jeff Bezos’ All-Female Space Crew

Discussion:
The panel discusses Jeff Bezos' company, Blue Origin, launching an all-female crew that includes celebrities like Katy Perry and Gayle King. They debate the scientific merit and motivations behind this mission.

Key Points:

• Piers Morgan acknowledges the importance of space exploration but questions the inclusion of non-astronauts like Katy Perry.
• Josh Rogin sarcastically supports Bezos, revealing his loyalty despite disagreeing with some aspects.
• Bill Maher voices his personal reluctance to participate in such missions, emphasizing the perceived lack of necessity.

Notable Quotes:

• Bill Maher [03:04]: "Thank God I don't have kids."
• Josh Rogin [04:11]: "Jeff Bezos is my boss and I support him."

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4. Appointment of Mike Huckabee as Ambassador to Israel

Discussion:
Bill Maher raises concerns about Mike Huckabee’s appointment as the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, questioning the nature of his relationship with Israel.

Key Points:

• Josh Rogin makes controversial remarks insinuating a malign relationship between Huckabee and Israeli interests.
• The panel briefly touches on the potential implications of such relationships on foreign policy.

Notable Quotes:

• Josh Rogin [05:17]: "The Jews have got to rule earth under hell. Right?"
• Bill Maher [05:32]: "I'm not a very observant, super duper. Christians love Israel."

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5. Tax Policies and Economic Strategies

Discussion:
A significant portion of the episode focuses on tax policies, particularly the potential tax hikes on the wealthy and the administration's strategies to balance the economy through tariffs and tax cuts for the working and middle classes.

Key Points:

• Steve Bannon outlines a plan to abandon the donor class in favor of policies that favor the working and middle classes, including tax cuts on tips, overtime, and Social Security.
• Josh Rogin questions the feasibility of passing these tax measures, considering Congressional influences.
• Bill Maher expresses doubt about Congress’s willingness to act independently of executive directives.
• Steve Bannon defends the administration’s stance by citing historical examples where tariffs benefited the economy without causing inflation.

Notable Quotes:

• Steve Bannon [08:29]: "Republicans are going to abandon the donor class and... restore the economic viability of the working class and the middle class."
• Bill Maher [09:06]: "They do whatever he tells them to do."

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6. Revival of Extinct Species: The Direwolf Example

Discussion:
The panel humorously debates the scientific endeavor to resurrect extinct species, specifically the direwolf, and the potential consequences of such actions.

Key Points:

• Bill Maher introduces the topic with skepticism about the practicality and safety of bringing back extinct species.
• Josh Rogin references "Jurassic Park," highlighting the risks associated with tampering with nature.
• Piers Morgan sarcastically suggests reviving Bill Maher himself, commenting on the ethical considerations of such scientific advancements.

Notable Quotes:

• Josh Rogin [10:48]: "What could go wrong?"
• Piers Morgan [10:56]: "Look how great that would be."

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Conclusion

Bill Maher wraps up the episode by briefly mentioning upcoming topics and encouraging listeners to tune in for future discussions. The episode provides a blend of serious political discourse and lighthearted banter, reflecting the diverse perspectives of the guests.

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Notable Moments:

• Steve Bannon's Advocacy for Military Parades and Economic Policies: Consistently emphasizes patriotic displays and economic strategies aimed at benefiting the working and middle classes.

• Piers Morgan's Critical Yet Supportive Stance: Offers comparisons to international practices while maintaining support for the discussed initiatives.

• Josh Rogin's Contrarian Views: Balances the conversation with skepticism and humor, particularly regarding space missions and tax policies.

• Bill Maher's Skeptical and Reflective Approach: Questions the normalization of military displays, the authenticity of religious trends, and the practicality of scientific advancements.

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This episode of "Real Time with Bill Maher" provides a multifaceted discussion on current political strategies, societal trends, and scientific innovations, enriched by the diverse viewpoints of Steve Bannon, Piers Morgan, and Josh Rogin.

Transcript

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[Kaley Cuoco]

Welcome to an HBO podcast from the HBO late night series Real Time with Bill Maher.

[Bill Maher]

All right. He was the White House chief strategist who now hosts the War Room podcast. Steve Bannon, he's global security analyst for Washington Post Intelligence and author of Chaos Under Heaven. Josh Rogen. And he hosts Piers Morgan Uncensored on YouTube. Piers Morgan. All right, here are the questions from the people. What does the panel think about reports that the Trump administration plans to hold a military parade on the 250th anniversary of the Army's founding, which also happens to be Trump's birthday? Oh, goody. Tanks in the street, huh? Is that a good thing, do you think?

[Steve Bannon]

I think it's fantastic, though.

[Bill Maher]

I think it's a great thing.

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Yeah.

[Josh Rogin]

Government efficiency at work, Right? That's what we're spending our defense dollars on. Is it parading a bunch of.

[Steve Bannon]

It's a way to inspire people, as you know, Josh, young men and women to join the military, to see the pageantry like they do in France with macron, that great July 14th, Bastille Day.

[Bill Maher]

Was there tanks in the street?

[Steve Bannon]

There were tanks.

[Piers Morgan]

They do everything we do in the UK all the time.

[Bill Maher]

All the time tanks are in the street.

[Piers Morgan]

It's actually, it's always been surprising to me. You don't do it.

[Josh Rogin]

Yeah. Kim Jong Un loves Kim Jong Un.

[Bill Maher]

Russia does it, too.

[Josh Rogin]

Yeah, yeah. Putin, Xi Jinping.

[Piers Morgan]

Bill, what do you think?

[Bill Maher]

I don't want America to get Used to the sight of tanks in the streets. That's what I don't. Because once you see it, it becomes normalized. What's behind the churchgoing revol in the uk, particularly among Gen Z, Is that true?

[Piers Morgan]

If you saw the state of our country right now, there's a lot to go and pray about. There'll be nothing more sinister than that.

[Bill Maher]

That's it. Kids are getting more religious. Is that what's going on?

[Piers Morgan]

I don't know. I didn't actually know that was a fact. But I mean, church going generally has been going down.

[Josh Rogin]

My daughter's too. Her only religion is bluey.

[Bill Maher]

Thank God I don't have kids. What does the panel think of Jeff Bezos? Company Blue Origin sending an all female crew. And Katie. Yes. Katy Perry and Lauren Chan says. And Gayle King. I know them all, love them all, hope they're all safe. I'm sure they will be to space next week. Is there any scientific merit to this mission?

[Piers Morgan]

Yes, but you know what I just think people that knock any form of exploration. You know, when I was born in 65, first thing I can really remember as an existent human being was the excitement around the rockets going up.

[Bill Maher]

Right.

[Piers Morgan]

And then it sort of stopped. And you kind of thought, I'll be going backwards. I mean, exploration, space travel, the bold frontiers.

[Bill Maher]

Well, Katy Perry is not exploring space. No, I know.

[Piers Morgan]

I know, but I wouldn't go up there. Would you go up there?

[Bill Maher]

Absolutely not.

[Piers Morgan]

I wouldn't do it in a million years.

[Bill Maher]

So.

[Piers Morgan]

I admire the balls. No, we should be cheering them on.

[Bill Maher]

No, I'm sure it'll be safe, but it's just I wouldn't go skydiving either.

[Piers Morgan]

No.

[Bill Maher]

And there's just no reason.

[Josh Rogin]

Jeff Bezos is my boss and I support him.

[Piers Morgan]

You toading little crawler. After all the lectures you gave us.

[Josh Rogin]

Earlier, I would like to get fired today.

[Bill Maher]

I'm not going to get fired.

[Piers Morgan]

That's the trouble. You see, the trouble is Josh. You get close to them and then he starts to take over.

[Josh Rogin]

Guess what, America? Guess what, America? We're all part of the same hypocrisy. Including Steve. Including. Including myself. We're all.

[Piers Morgan]

Keep me out of it.

[Bill Maher]

Yeah, too late.

[Josh Rogin]

Too late. You're in it. You're in it to win it.

[Bill Maher]

Yeah. No, we here. I'm gonna ask a question. Mike Huckabee, you remember him?

[Steve Bannon]

Yes, sir.

[Bill Maher]

He is now the ambassador to Israel. Mike Huckabee. We've had him on the show. If you don't remember. He was the governor of Arkansas, you know, a very religious man. And I'm sure they're sending him to Israel because he's a great friend of Israel. I have a problem with this. You know why people like that are friends with Israel? Because when you know who comes back, right?

[Josh Rogin]

The Jews have got to rule earth under hell. Right?

[Bill Maher]

That's the or they all die.

[Josh Rogin]

Or they all die. Either way, it's not really a great deal for Jesus.

[Bill Maher]

Saves 144,000 Jews.

[Josh Rogin]

Right?

[Bill Maher]

That's not a lot of I don't.

[Josh Rogin]

Think I'm gonna be. I don't think I'm gonna make the.

[Bill Maher]

Cut, to be honest with you. I'm not a very observant, super duper. Christians love Israel.

[Josh Rogin]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Bill Maher]

I'm just saying. And now he's okay.

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[Bill Maher]

Low flow showers. Trump is.

[Josh Rogin]

I'm with Trump on this one. Yeah. No one likes a low flow shower. That's an 8020 issue. That's good politics as far as I'm concerned.

[Bill Maher]

And Daylight savings time, that's what I like that one.

[Josh Rogin]

I like the. To be light in the evenings. I'm not a morning person. For all the morning people out there. Forget you.

[Bill Maher]

But getting rid of it. Don't we have more light in the winter? Yeah, yeah. So that's what we want.

[Josh Rogin]

If we get rid of daylight savings time. It gets dark early.

[Bill Maher]

No, no, no, no. What we do now is when it starts to get dark, we move it the wrong way. And now it's dark at like 4 in the afternoon. It's stupid. That's what he's, I think, trying to get rid of. And the penny.

[Piers Morgan]

Yeah, he's right about all these things, I think.

[Bill Maher]

Well, it's just good politics to pick. No taxes on tips, all these little.

[Josh Rogin]

Things that it's somewhat of a distraction from the ongoing.

[Steve Bannon]

And raise taxes on the wealthy. He said it last week.

[Josh Rogin]

Is that coming?

[Steve Bannon]

It's coming.

[Josh Rogin]

But what about the tax cut for the wealthy? Isn't that coming?

[Steve Bannon]

No, no, no. It's going to be extended. Not going to extend the tax cuts for the wealthy. He's got no tax on tips, no tax on Social Security and no tax on overtime.

[Josh Rogin]

So you're saying all the donors are about to get a tax hike.

[Steve Bannon]

They're already, they're already screaming. But he said he told the Senate that he's open to. When the extending the tax. Not extending.

[Josh Rogin]

Open to.

[Steve Bannon]

No, no, no. But he's already, I think Scott Bessen, the Secretary of Treasury, I think is working on this not to extend it to the upper bracket or make a new bracket.

[Josh Rogin]

And you think Congress is going to pass that, knowing who they get their money from?

[Bill Maher]

They do whatever he tells them to do.

[Steve Bannon]

If President Trump comes in and says.

[Bill Maher]

Where have you been living?

[Josh Rogin]

Okay, so the Steve Bennett plan is that Republicans are going to abandon the donor class and then what's going to happen in 20?

[Steve Bannon]

Where else are they going to go? We got total leverage over them. Where else are they going to go?

[Josh Rogin]

Well, there's another election coming up.

[Steve Bannon]

They're going in the midterms. And the thing, where else are they going to go? If you don't restore. If you don't restore the economic viability of the working class and the middle class and you have to do that by sealing the Border. Right. So it's not flooded with illegal alien labor. Number two is the tariffs will bring manufacturing jobs back. And the third is that working class and middle class people need a tax cut. They need no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and most importantly, no tax on Social Security. That's another 500 billion a year. We have to come with that. It's going to be a huge fight. But Democrats and progressives had control in 2021, in those first hundred days. And they put up a note taxing the billionaires and it didn't even get out of committee. President Trump and the MAGA movement will raise taxes on the wealthy.

[Bill Maher]

All right.

[Josh Rogin]

I believe that when the tariffs cause huge inflation that the lower middle class reward the Republicans for that. When all the prices go up. Because in 1890 when we had tariffs, the Republicans lost the House and the presidency because the.

[Steve Bannon]

You should know this, Josh, but anybody. Because when we raised the tariffs on China in 18, the prices came down. We didn't have any inflation in 19, and we had the highest tariff ever put on the China.

[Bill Maher]

Hey, how about that direwolf? We brought back the direwolf. They brought back a species called the direwolf that was extinct using DNA they had in a fossil.

[Josh Rogin]

What could go wrong?

[Bill Maher]

I mean, what. Well, it's just. I don't know. I mean, I can't.

[Josh Rogin]

Yeah, they're gonna do the woolly mammoth next. You know, I think they made it.

[Piers Morgan]

Look, don't knock it until they. 100 years, in a hundred years, they bring back Bill Maher from a fossil. Look how great that would be.

[Josh Rogin]

No, they made a movie once about, you know, bringing back extinct species and the risk if it was col. Jurassic Park. Maybe you've all seen it. You know, I know, but maybe we shouldn't screw with science that much, you.

[Bill Maher]

Know, but it's, it's, it's not a dinosaur. It's a wolf.

[Josh Rogin]

Yeah, but we know what it looked like.

[Bill Maher]

Yeah, and, and Bobby Kennedy says it tastes like chicken. That's what I. Thank you.

[Kaley Cuoco]

Catch all new episodes of Real Time with Bill Maher every Friday night at 10 or watch him anytime on HBO on Demand. For more information, log on to hbo.com.