In a recent episode of his show “Real Time,” comedian late-night talk show host Bill Maher addressed the issue of inflation and the state of the economy under President Biden. He suggested that Americans should “cheer up” despite the economic challenges, claiming wages are rising, unemployment is low, and the stock market is doing well. He acknowledged the persistence of inflation but pointed out the affordability of certain consumer goods like TVs and the availability of services like next-day shipping, porn, and legal weed.
“Stop acting like life in America in 2024 is unbearable. Biden’s ratings are in the toilet not because he’s doing such a bad job but because a lot of Americans like to live with their head in the toilet!” Maher scolded viewers during the show’s closing monologue.
Of course, the man with the money finds it easy to dismiss the reality of life in Biden’s America. Jason Trennert, CEO of Strategas Research Partners, developed the Common Man Consumer Price Index, which focuses on essential items such as food, housing, and energy to gauge inflation. This index excludes luxury items that are factored into the government’s CPI. According to this index, the standard of living for the average family has declined by about 7% since 2021 due to inflation during President Biden’s term.
Maher, who likes to portray himself as a “man of the people,” has amassed an estimated net worth of approximately $140 million. Much of his wealth comes from his work on “Real Time with Bill Maher,” where he earns a substantial salary. He owns several high-value properties, including a lavish mansion in Beverly Hills, a condominium in Los Angeles, and a retreat worth a million dollars on Catalina Island.
In 2012, it was revealed that the comedian and television host had a stake in the New York Mets. Maher acquired at least one share of ownership for $20 million, selling it for a substantial profit in 2020 after billionaire Steve Cohen acquired the team.
Maher has made his dislike of former President Donald Trump no secret, and he is willing to see the country collapse to keep him out of the Oval Office. In 2018, Maher said he welcomed a recession if it would remove Trump from the White House.
Just before those remarks, made during a panel discussion, Maher was forced to acknowledge that America’s economy was stable. But Trump Derangement Syndrome had him wishing the economy would collapse if it meant Trump would not be reelected. “Sorry if that hurts people, but it’s either root for a recession or you lose your democracy…. I feel like the bottom has to fall out at some point.”
The bottom is falling out, but not like Maher had anticipated with his comments in 2018.
Since mid-2022, inflation has been a significant concern, affecting the cost of daily necessities for average Americans. Although inflation has allegedly been on a downward trend since mid-2023, and despite the Biden administration’s claims that average wages have started to grow faster than prices, the issue of inflation is still not considered resolved by many. The Times/Siena poll shows that nearly two-thirds of voters view the cost of food and everyday items as unsatisfactory.
According to a recent poll by The New York Times and Siena College, 26% of registered voters across the country rate the economy as good or excellent, a 6% increase from July. This rise is mainly seen among older Democrats inclined to support President Biden. However, the percentage of voters satisfied with President Biden’s performance has fallen from 39% in July to 36%, per the latest survey.
In a struggle Maher will never understand, 53% of voters see the housing market as poor, especially younger people and those who rent their homes. Consumer spending has decreased, and more daily necessities are being charged to credit cards. Additionally, there has been a rise in late loan payments, particularly among younger individuals who have purchased vehicles in recent years. A 2023 Payroll.org survey revealed that 78% of Americans now live paycheck to paycheck, with no disposable income or way to save for retirement.
Talk is cheap for people like Maher, who aren’t affected by Biden’s dismal economy. But viewers aren’t just putting up with it—they’re cutting costs by canceling things they don’t need, like their HBO subscriptions. An empty suit talking to an empty studio seems a fitting end for this late-night “comedian.”
