Real Time with Bill Maher – Overtime #715: Killer Mike, Donna Brazile

Date: November 25, 2025
Guests: Killer Mike (musician, activist), Donna Brazile (ABC News contributor, former DNC chair)
Host: Bill Maher

Episode Theme & Overview

In this Overtime segment, Bill Maher, Killer Mike, and Donna Brazile dive into the increasing politicization of the American military, education deficits regarding civics, the legacy of foreign intervention (Libya, Haiti), shifting gender relations and marriage trends among young Americans, and finally, the lighter topic of favorite Thanksgiving dishes. The discussion is dynamic, at times provocative, and always candid, reflecting the original tone of Real Time—blunt, humorous, and unfiltered.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Politicization of the Military and Following Orders

[01:26–05:35]

• Trump’s Threats: The episode opens with the panel discussing Donald Trump’s recent threats against ABC’s license and lawmakers with military backgrounds encouraging personnel to question unlawful orders, particularly regarding Venezuela.
  • Maher expresses unease about politicians telling the military to defy orders (01:51).
  • Donna Brazile points out that the military oath includes following only legal and lawful orders—but highlights the dangers lawmakers now face, including death threats (02:24).
• Soldiers’ Responsibility:
  • Killer Mike raises concerns about under-education and believes an uninformed public—across racial and class lines—makes the military vulnerable to politicization. He argues for soldiers to strictly adhere to the Constitution, not unlawful orders, referencing civics education failings (03:36–05:47):
    • “There’s a goal in public schools to make sure Americans are dumb.… The average working class American is dumb.” – Killer Mike [03:36–03:53]
    • “I would rather our soldiers be strictly adherent to the United States Constitution and not following the order that’s unconstitutional.” – Killer Mike [05:13–05:32]
  • Maher argues it’s unrealistic to expect young soldiers to make constitutional judgments, given the current education system (05:35–05:49).

2. Foreign Policy, The Libya Intervention, and Haiti

[06:02–09:26]

• Libya & Obama:
  • Killer Mike candidly critiques Obama’s role in the Libya intervention, noting that “slavery returned to Libya,” and that Gaddafi, while not perfect, was a symbol of potential African unification (06:03–06:35):
    • “As a black person, I saw slavery return to Libya.… If I ever had the chance to talk to Obama, I’d really say so.” – Killer Mike [06:03–06:35]
  • Maher points out Gaddafi’s repressiveness, but Killer Mike uses the moment to highlight that repressive leaders exist everywhere, drawing comparisons to U.S. policies (07:01–07:13).
• France, Haiti, and Colonial Legacies:
  • Killer Mike and Maher debate whether France continues to benefit from Haiti, with Killer Mike reminding the audience of Haiti’s long-standing punishment for its anti-colonial rebellion and arguing for reparations (07:39–09:20):
    • “Haiti has been punished since 1806… To end colonization, it’s going to take some form of violence.…” – Killer Mike [07:58–08:20]
    • Donna Brazile adds that Haiti is “falling apart,” and that the U.S. needs to do more to aid countries like Haiti (08:50–08:53).
  • Bill Maher contends that at some point, countries must focus on future improvements, not past injustices (09:20–09:26).

3. Trust and Role of Institutions

[09:35–10:02]

• Donna Brazile emphasizes that the military remains among the most trusted U.S. institutions, contrasting it with Congress and the church (09:35–10:00). She notes her pride as a daughter of a veteran and insists on the military’s social importance.

4. Shifts in Marriage Attitudes and Gender Relations

[11:48–15:36]

• Survey Discussion:
  • Bill Maher introduces stats showing a substantial decline in 12th-grade girls interested in marriage over the past 30 years.
  • Donna Brazile points out women no longer feel pressured to marry quickly and have more freedom to choose when and whom they marry (12:15–12:47).
• Gender Dynamics:
  • Killer Mike and Donna Brazile banter about traditional domestic roles, with Killer Mike crediting his wife’s capabilities and poking fun about wanting to be “like Stedman” (Oprah’s longtime partner) while supporting an empowered spouse (15:15–15:33).
  • Donna Brazile stakes a proud claim to doing her own chores and not needing a man’s help (15:02–15:09).
• Men’s Usefulness and Relationship Friction:
  • Maher laments the growing gulf between men and women, noting women’s disinterest in male perspectives (13:02–13:44).
  • Donna Brazile asserts women are “tired of taking your shit… we don’t want to feel responsible for picking up your shit, taking care of your shit, and then dealing with your shit drains.” [14:02–14:29]
  • Killer Mike rebuts that men still fulfill “guy shit”—yardwork, home repairs, and, humorously, being the one with a shotgun if the house is threatened (14:34–14:53).

5. Thanksgiving Table Favorites

[15:39–16:53]

• Bill Maher closes by asking for favorite Thanksgiving dishes, leading to a lively exchange:
  • Donna Brazile celebrates her love for gumbo, dirty rice, and “stuffin’ mellotins” [15:53–16:16].
  • Killer Mike lists macaroni and cheese, family stuffing recipes, smoked turkey, and the “much better” marijuana he gets at Thanksgiving (16:39–16:53).
  • Maher jokes about Donna putting her “foot in it” (a Southern cooking compliment) and wraps the season on a light-hearted note.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Civic Education:
  “I think that there’s a goal in public schools to make Americans dumb.… To make sure the average working class American is dumb.” – Killer Mike [03:36–03:53]

• On Following Orders:
  “Once you say to the military, you get to decide as opposed to yes sir, no sir, follow orders—it’s a dangerous area.” – Bill Maher [03:27–03:36]

• On Obama and Libya:
  “He and Hillary Clinton disturbed a country called Libya… Now it’s not free anymore. And there are people who look like me that aren't free.… If I ever had a chance to talk to Obama, I’d really say so.” – Killer Mike [06:09–06:35]

• On Women & Relationships:
  “We don’t want your shit. We’re tired of it… You don’t have to feel responsible for picking up your shit, taking care of your shit, and then dealing with your shit drains. I’m tired of it.” – Donna Brazile [14:02–14:29]

• On Domestic Roles:
  “There is… what I think is that we have some use… We pick up heavy shit.” – Killer Mike [14:56–15:00]

• On Marriage Trends:
  “We are sort of at a point now where men and women just… don’t want anything to do with each other.” – Bill Maher [13:02–13:09]

• On Thanksgiving Food:
  “If you put some chicken gizzards after your trinity, man, you talking about bumpin’. You’ll be sitting on that couch saying, honey, whatever you want later, you got it. And it’s all healthy.” – Donna Brazile [16:14–16:28]

• On Partnership Aspirations:
  “You know who I like to be? Steadman… I want to be like Steadman. So, baby, if my wife out there, I want you to do well. I want you to make lots of money, baby. I’ll do the laundry… just take care of me like Steadman.” – Killer Mike [15:15–15:33]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Trump & Military Orders: 01:26–05:35
• Libya/Gaddafi Debate: 06:02–07:13
• France, Haiti, Reparations: 07:39–09:20
• Trust in Military & Institutions: 09:35–10:02
• Marriage & Gender Trends: 11:48–15:36
• Favorite Thanksgiving Dishes: 15:39–16:53

Tone & Language

The conversation is sharp, irreverent, and occasionally confrontational, blending insightful critiques with humor and personal anecdotes, typical of Maher's panel and guests. The guests speak candidly: Killer Mike is particularly forthright and passionate; Donna Brazile combines warmth with pointed commentary; Maher leads with a skeptical but playful edge.

For listeners seeking a thoughtful, uncensored, and sometimes surprising take on the week's political and cultural stories, this Overtime segment with Killer Mike and Donna Brazile delivers a blend of sharp analysis, historical perspective, and lively banter.