Overtime – Episode #720: Lauren Boebert, James Talarico

Summary

Real Time with Bill Maher: Overtime – Episode #720

Guests: Lauren Boebert (Republican Congresswoman, CO), James Talarico (Texas State Rep.), Cori Bush (Democratic Congresswoman, guest panelist)
Date: February 24, 2026
Host: Bill Maher

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Episode Overview

This episode of Overtime dives into the intersection of politics, media regulation, and controversial policies with Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert and Texas State Representative James Talarico. The discussion, heavily featuring Cori Bush as a debate partner, covers hot-button topics including the FCC’s equal time rule, cancel culture, government overreach, the politics of pesticides and health, the legacy of Jeffrey Epstein, and the brewing curiosity about UFO disclosures under Trump. Throughout, Bill Maher presses his guests on hypocrisy in both parties and the complexities of modern political discourse.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The FCC’s Equal Time Rule, Cancel Culture & Media Regulation

[01:11–08:23]

• Context: Bill Maher opens with a question about recent controversy surrounding the FCC’s equal time rule after a segment featuring a politician was pulled from late night TV, presumed to avoid equal time obligations.

• Cori Bush passionately warns against "the most dangerous form of cancel culture," arguing that government meddling with free speech and media is a threat to the First Amendment.

  • Quote (02:25):

    "This is not people on the Internet. These are the most powerful politicians and those powerful corporate media executives coming together to sell out the First Amendment. And a threat to any of our First Amendment rights is a threat to all of our First Amendment rights."

  • Cori calls for bipartisan defense of dissent and diversity of thought.

• Lauren Boebert downplays Trump’s role, attributes the show’s decision to network executives, but notes how the canceled segment benefited the politician with viral attention and fundraising.

  • Quote (04:45):

    "You got over 5 million views. You raised $2.5 million in 24 hours. So it was a pretty big success for you."

• Debate Over Government Overreach:

  • Cori Bush highlights concerns about politicians and billionaire donors colluding to influence media ("both parties should be appalled").
  • Maher frames the hypocrisy of both parties selectively defending free speech based on tribal loyalty.
  • Lauren recognizes network decision-making but distinguishes this from executive government overreach.

• Bipartisan Reflection: Cori closes the segment calling for Republicans to return to "small-c conservative values" and integrity over partisanship.

  • Quote (08:14):

    "I really think the Republican Party has to get back to those small c conservative values. And even when their guy’s in office, those values shouldn’t change."

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2. Trump, Roundup, and The Politics of (Un)Healthy America

[09:57–13:37]

• Bill Maher questions Trump’s seeming contradiction—courting “make America healthy again” moms, but signing an executive order to boost production of the controversial pesticide Roundup (glyphosate).

• Lauren Boebert is frank about her disagreement with Trump on this issue. She notes agricultural needs in her district but insists glyphosate is dangerous.

  • Quote (11:28):

    "That is what is affordable. I do not think that that is something that should be sprayed on our crops. It does go breaks the blood-brain barrier. It gets into our systems. I think this is why we are sick and unhealthy and barely alive."

  • She positions herself as a co-sponsor of legislation to strip immunity from companies pushing dangerous chemicals.

• Maher presses: “Is he going to get mad at you for saying you thought he did the wrong [thing]?” Boebert shrugs off potential backlash, citing her principles above party, and draws parallels to Marjorie Taylor Greene's estrangement from Trump after policy disagreements.

• Base vs. Elites:

  • Boebert pivots to the power of grassroots pressure in Congress, citing their ability to move legislation against leadership resistance.

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3. Elites, Epstein, and Bipartisanship of Scandal

[13:37–15:21]

• Maher observes populist antipathy to “elites” is valid across political lines, exacerbated by new revelations of influential figures in Jeffrey Epstein’s network.

• Lauren Boebert:

  • Quote (14:18):

    "I do think it’s heavy left leaning for sure. And certainly you’re seeing they are more elite, yes."

• Cori Bush:

  • Pushes back:

    "I think there are Democrats and Republicans, liberals and progressives on that list. I would hope that we can all agree that regardless of their political affiliation, anyone who’s found guilty of committing these crimes should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." (14:27)

• Maher, unsatisfied, presses about the ongoing chumminess with Epstein by powerful people even after his conviction—emphasizing a bipartisan rot.

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4. UFO/Alien Disclosure and Government Transparency

[15:21–17:17]

• Maher brings up Trump’s pledge to "release files on UFOs and alien life," referencing renewed interest thanks to recent presidential and podcast statements.

• Lauren Boebert reveals she’s part of a bipartisan group that’s viewed classified materials:

  • Quote (16:19):

    "There’s some really interesting things there. I don’t want to pull an Obama and say classified information that I can’t."

  • She expresses hope for real transparency and cautions against “just another distraction.”

• Maher jokes about “a safe space” for disclosure; panel responds in good humor but keeps the mystery alive.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Cori Bush on Cancel Culture & Free Speech:
  “A threat to any of our First Amendment rights is a threat to all of our First Amendment rights.” (02:25)

• Lauren Boebert on Glyphosate:
  “It does go breaks the blood-brain barrier. It gets into our systems. I think this is why we are sick and unhealthy and barely alive.” (11:28)

• Maher on Partisan Hypocrisy:
  “It just seemed like nobody has any integrity anymore. It’s only about what team we’re on.” (06:56)

• Cori Bush on Government Overreach:
  “You warned us the government would cancel free speech... All that is now happening and your party is enabling it.” (07:42)

• Lauren Boebert on Epstein’s Network:
  “I do think it’s heavy left leaning for sure. And certainly you’re seeing they are more elite, yes.” (14:18)

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Important Timestamps

• [01:11] - Topic Introduction: FCC Equal Time, Colbert controversy
• [02:25] - Cori Bush on cancel culture and First Amendment
• [04:45] - Boebert: Losing airtime led to viral success
• [06:56] - Maher: Parties lack integrity, free speech hypocrisy
• [09:57] - Trump, Roundup, and the “healthy” base controversy
• [11:28] - Boebert: Warns on glyphosate’s dangers
• [13:37] - Discussion on “elites” and Epstein’s bipartisan network
• [14:18] - Boebert: Epstein’s ties “heavy left leaning”
• [15:21] - UFO/alien disclosure, classified documents
• [16:19] - Boebert on seeing classified UFO/UAP material

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Tone and Flow

The exchange is combative but often collegial, with laughs and pointed retorts. Maher keeps the conversation brisk and irreverent—probing guests for honesty and consistency. Boebert and Bush are both combative but principled, each emphasizing the need for accountability regardless of party.

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This summary covers the central arguments, sharpest exchanges, and noteworthy moments—offering rich insight into not only the topics but also the perspectives of the politicians engaged.

Transcript

[Narrator/Announcer]

This podcast is sponsored by Chase Sapphire. Reserved for business. Businesses build big worlds.

[Bill Maher]

I'm Angus.

[Angus Wall]

My design studio created the Game of Thrones main title. We wanted it to feel like it was handmade, like it was a physical object. The whole process was a series of questions and solutions. The aha moment was to turn the globe inside out. This thing starts to emerge. That's just incredible. We put everything we had into it and it's given so much back to

[Narrator/Announcer]

us for business world builders everywhere. The business card that gives back all you put in Chase Sapphire. Reserved for business cards issued by JPMorgan Chase bank and AM FDIC subject credit approval terms apply.

[Bill Maher]

Ugh.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You said you were over him, but his hoodie's still in your rotation.

[Lauren Boebert]

It's time.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Grab your phone, snap a few pics and sell it on depop. Listed in minutes with no selling fees. And just like that, a guy 500 miles away just paid full price for your closure. And right on cue. Hey, still got my hoodie? Nope. But I've got tonight's dinner paid for. Start selling on depop. Where taste recognizes taste list. Now with no selling fees, payment processing fees and boosting fees still apply. See websites for details. Welcome to an HBO podcast from the HBO late night series Real Time with Bill Maher.

[Bill Maher]

Okay, here we are. Now it's time with the state. Texas state representative is running for the US Senate, James Talarico. And she is a Republican congresswoman from Colorado. Lauren Boebert is over here. All right, all right. These are from the people out there for the panel. Should. Oh, this is. I know this is about you because you've had a lot of controversy this week about this one. The fcc. Should the FCC get rid of its equal time rule? Is the government engaging in cancel culture? Let's explain this a little. You went on Stephen Colbert's show. They didn't air it. Now, I remember this from when I was a kid. The FCC ruled the equal time rule. If a politician went on a show you had to give equal time to. This was from 1934 is when it was first written. It made sense when there were three networks. I guess it makes no sense in the age of streaming and tiktoks and I mean, you know, podcasts and everything else that people can go on. So what should we do about this?

[Cori Bush]

Well, there was always an exception for late night television shows like the Late show and now the Trump administration's FCC is going after some of these shows. And so to me, I think we should just use our common sense. Do we Think the president is digging through the minutiae of FCC policy because he's concerned about the equal time rule and how it's applied, or is he going after shows that talk about him in a way he doesn't like? Which one sounds more like the president? And this is the party that ran against cancel culture. Now they're trying to control what we watch, what we say, what we read. And this is the most dangerous form of cancel culture. This is not people on the Internet. These are the most powerful politicians and those powerful corporate media executives coming together to sell out the First Amendment. And a threat to any of our First Amendment rights is a threat to all of our First Amendment rights. Bill, you know this because you had this happen to you. And it's really important that we leave room for dissent in this country, especially when everyone seems to be on the same page. It's really important to have folks and to allow folks to be able to. To say something different, to challenge that groupthink. And I'm really concerned when you have the government starting to cancel free speech, what that. What kind of road we're traveling down. The First Amendment is the First Amendment for a reason. It's not the second, the third, or the fourth, or the fifth, because that freedom of speech, the freedom of the press, it allows us to safeguard all those other freedoms in the Bill of Rights. And it's why I'm so concerned and honestly so proud of Stephen Colbert and his show for standing up against the.

[Bill Maher]

It's the hypocrisy of it, to me, the democracy of it. I mean, when they were squelching dissenting opinions about COVID I was right with your people.

[Lauren Boebert]

Yes, I know you were. And I was gonna say, I'm old enough to remember the cancel culture of COVID lockdowns. And that's where we were really fighting. I mean, they canceled schools, they canceled churches. Don't worry. The strip clubs and marijuana shops were still open.

[Bill Maher]

So I'll tell Paul Anka y.

[Cori Bush]

I

[Lauren Boebert]

just think it wasn't President Trump that canceled your segment there. I mean, this is one area where Ms. Crockett is correct. You know, this was a decision by the network. And, you know, they didn't want to have her on possibly. They didn't want to have that Equal time. And so they looked at the ruling and said, well, we're not going to do this. But I also think that the way it was aired, I mean, you got over 5 million views. You raised $2.5 million in 24 hours. So it was Pretty big success for you.

[Cori Bush]

Well, again, my, my concern is not, my concern is not for my campaign. It's for the Constitution.

[Lauren Boebert]

Right? It wasn't the president who said, do not allow this, President's administration, they did not say do not allow this to air. It was equal share time. That was already in the rules. And that network said, we don't want to have the equal share. We don't want to fulfill that part of the rule.

[Cori Bush]

Again, let's, let's go one level deeper. Larry Ellison, who owns Paramount, is trying to acquire Warner Brothers, which, including me

[Bill Maher]

and I would be part of the deal.

[Cori Bush]

And he is one of Trump's biggest donors. So again, this is very powerful politicians with billionaire mega donors colluding to sell out our fundamental freedoms in this country. And Republicans and Democrats, we should both be appalled by this. We should both be concerned about this because again, when they come for some of us, they end up coming for all of us eventually.

[Bill Maher]

Let me ask it a different way. After the Charlie Kirk assassination, I mean, obviously anybody who did anything but say, this is a horrible thing for this country, horrible thing personally for him and his family, I have no use for a person like that. But it is still free speech. And they made basically a blasphemy law. And people were canceled because they said things that were rude and inappropriate. But that does not mean that they should have been unallowed to say them. Don't you think that's hypocritical?

[Lauren Boebert]

When the networks make a decision to not have someone on air to cancel a show, even over the weekend when it wasn't going to film and be on air anyway, or if they choose to not have another guest because of rules. I don't think that is the same as President Trump coming in and canceling people from the executive branch. There are rules in place. And you've even said earlier that we are a nation of laws.

[Bill Maher]

I just mean in general, the Red Team, they were all for free speech, except when it was somebody that they liked. And then it was just, no, I'm sorry, you just can't say anything. And it just seemed like nobody has any integrity anymore. It's only about what team we're on. The FCC switch on a dime.

[Cori Bush]

Well, and the FCC is weaponizing a technicality. They are, they are going after an exemption that's existed for decades because they don't like some of these late night talk shows. I mean, Jimmy Kimmel made a joke they didn't like and they went after him. They, Stephen Colbert called out Paramount's bribe to Donald Trump and they went after him.

[Lauren Boebert]

Jimmy Kimmel, his own network, pressure from

[Cori Bush]

the fcc, from the federal government. I mean, this is government overreach.

[Lauren Boebert]

His network could have pushed back on that. And you know, he's back on the air, he's making his crappy jokes.

[Cori Bush]

I just listen. I have conservatives in my family. I have conservatives who I grew up with. Y' all always warned us about government overreach. You warned us the government would cancel free speech. You warned us about the government usurping the role of the church. You warned us about secret pedophile rings. All that is now happening and your party is enabling it. And I know you've stood up on some of these things, which I appreciate. We need more people in both parties willing to stand up, but I'm really bipartisan.

[Lauren Boebert]

Boebert, at your service.

[Cori Bush]

Well, I just think, I just think. I really think the Republican Party has to get back to those small c conservative values. And even when their guys in office, those values shouldn't change.

[Narrator/Announcer]

This podcast is sponsored by Chase Sapphire. Reserved for business. Businesses built big worlds.

[Angus Wall]

I'm Angus. My design studio created the Game of Thrones main title. We wanted it to feel like it was handmade, like it was a physical object. The whole process was a series of questions and solutions. The aha moment was to turn the globe inside out. This thing starts to emerge. That's just incredible. We put everything we had into it and it's given so much back to

[Narrator/Announcer]

us for business world builders everywhere. The business card that gives back all you put in Chase Sapphire, reserved for business cards issued by JP Morgan, Chase bank and a member FDIC subject Credit approval terms apply. This episode is brought to you by Redfin. You're listening to a podcast, which means you're probably multitasking, maybe even scrolling home listings on Redfin, saving homes without expecting to get them. But Redfin isn't just built for endless browsing. It's built to help you find and own a home with agents who close twice as many deals. When you find the one, you've got a real shot at getting it. Get [e-mail] own the dream. Jackson Hewitt knows taxes are complicated. And with multiple jobs and tax forms, they're like Sonata complicated. Our no surprise, pricing keeps things simple. Jackson Hewitt does your taxes for only $149 or less. And since we know all the new tax codes, you could get thousands back. So what are you waiting for? Hurry. File with Jackson Hewitt today for only $149 or less. Guaranteed limited time Offer for new clients on federal returns. Participating locations only. [e-mail] 149 all right, let me ask you another question.

[Bill Maher]

This is from. I saw this in the news, was fascinated by this. Also, will Trump alienate the maha that's make America healthy again? Moms who backed him after signing an executive order to boost production of Roundup. Roundup is what they spray on crops. It's a great pesticide. Not so great for people. I see that Bayer, which owns them, just had to pay something like $7.5 billion in lawsuits for this stuff. The pesticide at the center of major, yes, health lawsuits. It's baffling to me. I mean, the way he courts a certain group and then seems to just deliberately turn his back on them. I don't get this. I mean, why appoint Bobby Kennedy to be the Secretary of Health and Human Services and then order a boost in production of Roundup, the single most deleterious substance I can think of on the whole agenda?

[Lauren Boebert]

Now, he did go opposite of Secretary Kennedy after he heard about the cocaine off the toilet seat. So maybe that had something to do with it. But no, I do disagree with that. I mean, I have a lot of farmers and ranchers in my district in eastern Colorado, and that is the lifeblood of my district, of my state, of our nation.

[Bill Maher]

What is the lifeblood?

[Lauren Boebert]

Our farmers and ranchers.

[Bill Maher]

So you think Trump did the right thing?

[Lauren Boebert]

No, I don't.

[Bill Maher]

Oh, you don't.

[Lauren Boebert]

But our farmers and ranchers, they, they will advocate for the continuation of glyphosate and Roundup. That's what they have. That is what is affordable. I do not think that that is something that should be sprayed on our crops. It does go breaks the blood brain barrier. It gets into our systems. I think this is why we are sick and unhealthy and barely alive. And it's pretty part of a bigger conglomerate, kind of like, you know, we have the military industrial complex. Well, we also have the homeless industrial complex and the drug industrial complex. And it's like you just barely keep them hanging on and keep giving them money and you know, they'll still be there and there's still that reason for it and it's why we're sick and owe all pay all of this to the pharmacist.

[Bill Maher]

Now, is he going to get mad at you for saying you thought he

[Lauren Boebert]

did the wrong maybe. I am also a co signer now on Thomas Massie's bill to not provide immunity to these companies. And I think Congressman Massie did the Right thing in this piece of legislation. I'm a proud co sponsor of it. And you know, President Trump, he's my friend. I love that he's our president once again. But there are things.

[Bill Maher]

That's what Marjorie Taylor Greene said and she's in the doghouse.

[Lauren Boebert]

She disagreed on him on a lot of other things this year. And I think that it was, it was handled unprofessionally in total. And it's really unfortunate what happened because they did have a really good relationship. And you know, I'm not looking to, you know, sever that friendship, but I also have principles and I want to make a point just real quick to the base and to the voters. If we could go back to Epstein for just a moment. Look at the pressure that was put on these politicians, put on the House of Representatives, put on the Senate by the base demanding that that was passed. And without me and Marjorie and Nancy Mace, Thomas Massie, Ro Khanna forcing that legislation, it would have never happened. Because our leadership in dc, they do listen to others and not the base. But you know, finally these politicians.

[Bill Maher]

One thing you guys were always the base will very consistent about is you had this bug up your ass about elites. Mm, elites.

[Lauren Boebert]

Yeah.

[Bill Maher]

And I've said many times they're not completely wrong about that.

[Angus Wall]

Yeah.

[Bill Maher]

To the consternation of people on the left who don't like when I say things like that. But it's true now when I read this list of people that are in the Epstein orbit, it is vast and it is certainly bipartisan.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes.

[Bill Maher]

But even the people who like now, like Musk, who are on the right at the time they were in communication with Epstein, seemed to be more on the left.

[Lauren Boebert]

Yes.

[Bill Maher]

Do you think that's true? Do you think that's fair?

[Lauren Boebert]

I do think it's heavy left leaning for sure. And certainly you're seeing they are more elite. Yes.

[Bill Maher]

They are more elitists.

[Lauren Boebert]

Correct.

[Bill Maher]

You would disagree.

[Cori Bush]

I think there are Democrats and Republicans, liberals and progressives on that list. I would hope that we can all agree that regardless of their political affiliation, anyone who's found guilty of committing these crimes should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. And I mean, I just, I really.

[Bill Maher]

But again, we're past that. We're past that point in the story. We're at the point of the story now of something different. Yes. Maybe you didn't do anything with a lot of these people. We don't think they did something directly with underage girls. But you still kept up this very friendly communication, this very friendly relationship you had with a guy who you knew was already prosecuted for this.

[Cori Bush]

And that's why I'm trying to figure out when pedophilia became a partisan issue in this country. Because if there's anything we should all agree on, it's that no one, including the most powerful man in the country, should be able to cover up those crimes against children.

[Bill Maher]

Okay, last question. Trump. President Trump said he would release files on you. UFOs and alien life. What might they show? Yes, he said, we're gonna see it. All right. And a lot of people have been asking about this. Obama was on a podcast last week and he had to walk back a statement he made saying, you know, I think they're out there or something. And then I. No, I haven't seen him. But, you know, I mean, I had a gentleman on recently who made a documentary about this. I believe that. I mean, the people. People in the military see things that are unexplainable. I think it's more likely that there are aliens. I don't know. I think it's good news that they haven't taken us out yet because it just means they're monitoring. And if they're watching, I think we can all get along. But what do you think it's going to be in these files?

[Lauren Boebert]

Well, gosh, probably going to be just as redacted if it's anything like the Epstein filed. No, I am in a unofficial bipartisan kind of group task force. Congressman Jared Moskowitz and Anna Paulina Luna, Eric Burleson. And we've gone in and seen some of the classified documents, and there's some really interesting things there. And I don't want to pull an Obama and say classified information that I can't. But I'm really excited that this is coming out. I hope it's not another distraction. Remember, during COVID we learned aliens were real. There were UFOs, there were UAPs. And then everybody's like, yeah, so what? And so I hope this isn't just another like, well, let's just put it out there and see if they catch it this time. But I think there's going to be some interesting information I think you should

[Cori Bush]

feel comfortable telling us. I don't think we're going to tell anyone. Right. It's a safe space. Yeah.

[Bill Maher]

Thank you very much. I appreciate it.

[Narrator/Announcer]

People 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 this podcast is sponsored by Chase Sapphire reserved for business Businesses built big worlds.

[Angus Wall]

I'm Angus. My design studio created the Game of Thrones main title. We wanted it to feel like it was handmade, like it was a physical object. The whole process was a series of questions and solutions. The aha moment was to turn the globe inside out. This thing starts to emerge. That's just incredible. We put everything we had into it and it's given so much back to us.

[Narrator/Announcer]

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