Real Time with Bill Maher returns with a new episode tonight, Aug. 1, and Bill Maher has no shortage of headline-making material to tackle in his opening monologue. The only question is whether Maher will focus his attention on President Donald Trump or the state of late-night TV.
This week’s biggest bombshell centers on President Donald Trump’s connection to Jeffrey Epstein. Leaked footage from Trump’s 1993 wedding and recently unsealed court documents have reignited scrutiny of their relationship, especially among late-night TV hosts. Will Maher follow suit and hammer Trump over the connection? Or will the Real Time host look to bruh past the scandal?
For Maher, this is prime monologue territory if he wants to take it.. If so, expect him to take aim at Trump’s evasions and contradictions, using the moment to question not just Trump’s credibility, but how the media and political institutions continue to dance around the deeper implications of Epstein’s network.
Another major topic that may come up tonight is the controversial cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. CBS and Paramount stunned the industry in July by announcing Colbert’s tenure and that the entire Late Show franchise will come to an end in May 2026. Though the official line is that the show was losing money, the timing of the announcement has raised eyebrows.
Just three days before the news broke, Colbert delivered a blistering segment accusing Paramount of essentially bribing its way out of legal jeopardy with a $16 million settlement. Paramount’s merger with Skydance led Colbert and other late-night hosts to question whether corporate or political pressure played a role in the decision.
Don’t be surprised if Maher ties these stories together in his monologue, pointing to how the media industry, political influence, and financial risk-aversion are shrinking the late-night TV space. Maher isn't the biggest Colbert fan, but he should stay objective when it comes to the issue.
Tonight's panel includes guests who are well-equipped to dive into the messiness of politics, tech, and truth:
Tristan Harris, the former Google design ethicist and co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology, is the interview subject. Harris may offer insight into how online platforms have shaped both the Trump–Epstein narrative and the broader decline in trust toward traditional media.
James Kirchick, a political journalist and commentator known for his writing on authoritarianism and cultural battles, joins the panel. Expect Kirchick to weigh in on the implications of Colbert’s cancellation and the GOP’s narrative tactics.
Rep. Jason Crow, a former Army Ranger and current member of Congress, may provide a political insider’s view on the Epstein investigation fallout, potential congressional response, and the state of democracy heading into 2026.
Real Time with Bill Maher airs tonight, Friday, August 1, at 10 p.m. ET on HBO and streams on Max.