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The best of Real Time with Bill Maher season 16, part one

By Matt Moore

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 11: Comedian Bill Maher speaks onstage at the 2011 MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute to Barbra Streisand held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 11, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 11: Comedian Bill Maher speaks onstage at the 2011 MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute to Barbra Streisand held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 11, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) /
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New Rule: Sub-Literate America, February 9

“New rule: If you can’t read, you can’t be president.” So started Maher’s February 9 “New Rule” segment. The fact that this had to be said in 2018 or is a legitimate concept to satirize a president on is insane. But that was a common theme throughout season 16.

Maher can be at his best during segments like these where he gets to deliver rapid fire jokes directly to the camera. His line that Trump can read a little just like FDR could dance a little is classic Maher. The reaction by the audience is also indicative of what it can be like doing comedy in 2018. Immediate laughter, then realizing what exactly the joke was, followed by semi-judgmental groans. Maher feeds off these reactions better than anyone.

This clip best encapsulates the biggest critique against Trump from late night: his incompetence. It is one thing to disagree with policies or political position. But when reports indicate that the president can read daily briefings or retain information, then it goes beyond politics.

A bigger problem is when people agree with, or prefer, a method of fact-gathering similar to that of Trump. He won’t read a 200-page report on something and instead wants it on a page. This sounds a lot like people on Twitter trying to debate climate change or immigration policy a few lines at a time. Everyone could benefit from a bit more reading, especially President Trump.

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