Neil deGrasse Tyson tells Bill Maher: Nuclear weapons are not what we think

Neil deGrasse Tyson, on a recent episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, explained: “There’s a reaction to nukes that’s a little bit out of proportion to what they really do.”

On the HBO show, Maher began the segment by expressing his worry of radiation from the use of nuclear weapons with regard to Putin and the Russia-Ukraine War. “I love Ukraine, but do I love them enough to get radiated?” he said.

Modern nukes are not what we think

Neil deGrasse Tyson quickly responded, saying, “…modern nukes don’t have the radiation problem just to be clear.”

Bill Maher seemed relieved by the information as Neil deGrasse Tyson further elaborated: “You still blow to smithereens”. Modern nukes are a different kind of weapon from those used in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

“Nuclear weapons if they’re exploded don’t have a radiation problem?” the host asked.

“Not if it’s Hydrogen bombs, no,” Tyson confirmed.

Bill then went on to admit that he was not worried about the problem of being vaporized or blown to smithereens by nukes and was evidently relieved: “This is news to me, this is why it’s great to have a scientist on.”

Maher described his worry over a radiation dilemma as a result of a local exchange of nuclear weapons from other foreign countries. “Now you’re telling me that is not a worry?” Maher asked.

Neil deGrasse Tyson responded, admitting it “would be the case” if “fission” bombs were used.

After hearing that, the talk-show host’s relief quickly disappeared and the segment ended with a comical, “oh for f*** sakes!”

Want to see more from Bill Maher? The HBO host now hosts his own podcast on all major platforms. It’s quite the watch. Believe us.