Real Time with Bill Maher: Overtime – Episode #696 Summary

Release Date: May 20, 2025
Guests: Peter Hamby, Scott Jennings

Introduction

In Episode #696 of HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher, host Peter Hamby engages in a thought-provoking discussion with CNN political contributor Scott Jennings. The conversation delves into political legacies, Supreme Court dynamics, celebrity influence in politics, and governmental structural concerns.

Scott Jennings on Potential Senate Run and Mitch McConnell’s Legacy

Peter Hamby opens the dialogue by inquiring about Scott Jennings’ contemplation of a Senate run, especially in the context of succeeding Mitch McConnell.

Peter Hamby [00:51]: "What do you believe will be Mitch McConnell's legacy? I guess that's who you'd be replacing, right?"

Scott Jennings [01:39]:
"Yeah, he's up in 26 Supreme Court. I mean, without question. I think his legacy is the court, specifically the Supreme Court. If he doesn't hold that seat open in the 2016 election, I'm not sure President Trump would have won. And then the cascade of appointments that followed will change the course of this country for a generation." [01:39]

Jennings emphasizes McConnell’s strategic maneuvers in shaping the judiciary, highlighting the long-term impact of Supreme Court appointments on American jurisprudence.

Supreme Court Nomination Battles: Garland vs. Barrett

The conversation transitions to the contentious Supreme Court nomination processes under different administrations.

Peter Hamby [01:25]:
"What do you believe will be Mitch McConnell's legacy?..." [01:25]

Scott Jennings [02:02]:
"If the bullshit you're referring to is the advise and consent clause in the U.S. constitution." [02:02]

Peter Hamby [02:36]:
"Well, as I just said in the editorial, if it had been the other way around, you would have went apeshit about it. If somebody had tried. No, you would have been cool with it." [02:36]

Jennings critiques McConnell’s refusal to hold hearings for Merrick Garland in 2016, labeling it as unprecedented and problematic. He draws parallels to the expedited confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett, arguing that such actions undermine constitutional norms.

Scott Jennings [03:21]:
"We have divided government and then the American people were going to make a decision, and they did, and they chose a Republican president." [02:54]

Donald Trump’s Comments on Taylor Swift and Celebrity Influence

The discussion shifts to recent remarks by Donald Trump regarding Taylor Swift, exploring the intersection of celebrity status and political influence.

Peter Hamby [04:53]:
"What did you make of Donald Trump's post this morning alleging that since I said I hate Taylor Swift, this guy, all the deals, but he still has time for this." [04:53]

Scott Jennings [05:28]:
"I don't think he means that. I recall when he went to the super bowl earlier this year, he noted at the time that the crowd booed her and cheered him. I think at that point, he started to detect that she was faltering with the public." [05:28]

Jennings suggests that Trump’s comments are less about personal animosity and more about Swift’s waning influence, especially among Republican constituents. He points out the impact of her political endorsements on her popularity demographics.

Unnamed Contributor [05:51]:
"She made over a billion dollars on that tour ever. Yeah. Like, biggest tour ever in history. When she endorsed Kamala Harris right before the election... her approval ratings went up with Democrats, but with Republicans, independents, they actually went down strikingly." [05:51]

Concentration of Government Agencies in Washington D.C.

A significant portion of the episode examines the centralized location of U.S. government agencies and the proposal to decentralize them.

Peter Hamby [08:36]:
"Kash Patel says he's shutting down the FBI's D.C. headquarters and moving staff across the country. Should other government agencies be doing the same?" [08:36]

Scott Jennings [09:27]:
"It wouldn't bother me in the slightest if the Agriculture Department was in Iowa and the Department of Homeland Security was somewhere else... they live in this little bubble. And I think the longer you're in it, the less you have in common with regular Americans." [09:27]

Jennings advocates for distributing government departments geographically to foster a greater understanding of regional issues and reduce the insular nature of Washington D.C. He believes that relocating agencies can bridge the gap between policymakers and the populace.

Unnamed Contributor [09:50]:
"I support that." [09:50]

Closing Remarks

As the episode wraps up, Scott Jennings shares insights into his professional life, balancing his contributions to CNN in New York with his residency in Kentucky.

Scott Jennings [09:54]:
"I live in Kentucky." [09:54]

Scott Jennings [09:57]:
"I get up on Mondays, I fly to New York, I do shows there. I come down on the train and then I go home to Kentucky at the end of the week." [09:57]

Conclusion

Episode #696 of Real Time with Bill Maher offers a deep dive into the enduring influence of political figures like Mitch McConnell, the complexities of Supreme Court nominations, the nuanced role of celebrities in politics, and the potential benefits of decentralizing government agencies. Scott Jennings provides a balanced perspective on these issues, emphasizing constitutional adherence and the importance of connecting government operations with everyday Americans.

Notable Quotes:

• Scott Jennings [01:39]: "If he doesn't hold that seat open in the 2016 election, I'm not sure President Trump would have won. And then the cascade of appointments that followed will change the course of this country for a generation."

• Peter Hamby [02:36]: "If it had been the other way around, you would have went apeshit about it."

• Scott Jennings [05:28]: "I think at that point, he started to detect that she was faltering with the public."

• Scott Jennings [09:27]: "They live in this little bubble. And I think the longer you're in it, the less you have in common with regular Americans."

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't tuned in.