Real Time with Bill Maher: Episode #698 Summary Featuring Stephanie Ruhle & Jonah Goldberg
Release Date: June 10, 2025

Introduction

In Episode #698 of HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher," host Bill Maher engages in a lively discussion with guests Jonah Goldberg, co-founder of The Dispatch and host of the Remnant podcast, and Stephanie Ruhle, senior business analyst and host of MSNBC's "The 11th Hour." The conversation spans a variety of contemporary political and social issues, offering insightful perspectives and sharp commentary.

Key Topics Discussed

1. Removal of Harvey Milk's Name from a Navy Ship

The episode opens with the panel addressing the controversial decision to erase Harvey Milk's name from a Navy ship at the onset of Pride Month.

• Jonah Goldberg expresses skepticism:
  "What was the point panel of Pete Hegseth's move to erase LGBTQ? [...] they thought this made the Navy too gay." [01:05]

• Stephanie Ruhle criticizes the move as trolling:
  "I would not have named a ship after Harvey Milk. I would not have taken the name off of it at the beginning of Pride Month either. It's trolling." [02:26]

• Bill Maher questions the utility of the decision:
  "How about why waste the time? [...] you have one of the most important jobs in the entire country [...] Do better." [02:50]

2. Surge in Marijuana Use Among Seniors

The conversation shifts to a study highlighting a nearly 50% increase in marijuana use among Americans aged 65 and older over two years.

• Jonah Goldberg humorously remarks on the trend:
  "A big jump. I mean, no jump for me. I jumped when I was 19, and I have not jumped back, so I don't know what that means." [03:06]

• Stephanie Ruhle attributes the rise to generational shifts:
  "The age cohort are the people who grew up smoking pot. [...] Joe Biden's generation didn't grow up smoking pot." [04:03]

• Jonah Goldberg shares a personal anecdote about his mother:
  "When my mother was a widow, I was always trying to get her to smoke pot because everything she complained about would have been solved with pot." [04:23]

3. Generational Differences in Pop Culture Consumption

The panel discusses the fragmentation of media consumption across generations and its cultural implications.

• Jonah Goldberg highlights the niche segmentation:
  "If something gets a million viewers, it's a giant hit. Because we are just all in our own little niche ghettos." [07:35]

• Stephanie Ruhle reminisces about shared pop culture experiences:
  "I grew up watching a lot of pop culture [...] there's a shared sort of sense where we all watch the same stuff." [07:08]

• Bill Maher comments on the timeless nature of generational divides:
  "What was young, what was cool to the youngs, was always cool to the youngs. And the old people never knew who it was." [06:43]

4. Trump's Call with Chinese President Xi and Trade Policies

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the recent reported call between former President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, focusing on the U.S.'s trade policies and the role of Treasury Secretary Scott Besant.

• Bill Maher critiques Treasury Secretary Besant's handling of trade policy:
  "Scott [Besant] is trying to push this over to the President because [...] a trade war. No one wins." [08:09]

• Stephanie Ruhle provides an analysis of Besant and Commerce Secretary Lutnick:
  "Besant is a smart guy who knows some things [...] Lutnick is like just a total sycophant and completely economically illiterate." [09:22]

• Jonah Goldberg reflects on the generational misunderstandings of trade deficits:
  "Trump does not understand trade deficits. [...] he thinks the government has a trade deficit with Elon Musk." [09:50]

• Bill Maher emphasizes the importance of international alliances:
  "Other countries are now working together to create alliances and potentially trade with China. If we wanted to actually exert our power, we would work with our alliances instead of make an enemy out of Canada." [08:59]

Notable Quotes

• Bill Maher on government priorities:
  "You have one of the most important jobs in the entire country [...] Do better." [02:50]

• Jonah Goldberg on cultural segmentation:
  "Mr. Beast is someone who has become so extraordinarily popular and did it without any traditional channels. That's what's amazing about him." [06:51]

• Stephanie Ruhle on trade policy misunderstandings:
  "Trump just doesn't understand how trade actually works." [09:22]

Concluding Remarks

As the episode wraps up, Bill Maher emphasizes the importance of meaningful dialogue and strategic policy-making, urging political leaders to focus on substantive issues rather than symbolic gestures. The panel leaves listeners with a nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding trade policies and generational shifts in cultural consumption.

Final Thoughts

Episode #698 of "Real Time with Bill Maher" offers a compelling blend of humor, personal anecdotes, and critical analysis of pressing political and social issues. Stephanie Ruhle and Jonah Goldberg provide valuable insights, making the discussion both informative and engaging for listeners seeking a deeper understanding of current events.

For more episodes and insightful discussions, visit HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher.