Outspoken HBO host Bill Maher railed against the United States Supreme Court for its ruling on individual campaign contributions during his show, “Real Time,” on Friday, saying “the idiots have found a way to break [the Constitution].”
In a Left v. Right stand-off of panelists discussing the Supreme Court’s campaign finance ruling on Maher’s show, the HBO host began a rant against the high court, calling it “not helpful” and criticizing it for ‘breaking the Constitution.’
“They say the Constitution was created by geniuses so idiots could ruin it. I need to amend that. I think the idiots found a way to break it. I think the idiots have finally won over the geniuses,” Maher said.
In a 5-4 decision this week, the Supreme Court found the individual caps on campaign contributions were unconstitutional.
While Maher and panelist MSNBC host Alex Wagner criticized the ruling, former Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) and conservative columnist Carrie Sheffield praised the decision, saying it strengthened parties.
“This decision strengthens parties. I think that’s a good thing,” Davis said.
Maher, however, shot back, saying that because of the ruling, democracy was “a little broken.”
But Sheffield disagreed. The Forbes.com writer argued there was nothing in the Constitution that put a limit on free speech, and said if the people wanted that, they would call for an amendment.
“The liberals broke the system” Sheffield said. “Who was the first president in the post-Watergate era to reject public financing? Barack Obama. Who helped him out? I won’t name — at this table.”
Maher, who financially contributed greatly to President Obama’s campaign, attempted to defend himself saying “there was a knife fight, and he decided to bring a knife.”
“That’s silly,” he said, “to say that he should unilaterally disarm.”
Wagner criticized the liberal justices and “progressive politics” for “ceding the Constitution to the Right.” The MSNBC host said liberals attempt to shape modern history, while their political counterparts “have taken colonial history.”
The HBO host couldn’t help but take a few shots at Chief Justice John Roberts, who wrote the majority opinion.
“Either he is a liar or he is too naive to hold any important job, including this one,” Maher said of Roberts. “This is like a legal ruling written by the Little Mermaid. Are you crazy?”
As Sheffield and Davis attempted to refute Maher and Wagner’s claims, the host shut them down, saying, “Your arguments don’t follow because you don’t have good arguments.”
Watch Maher and his panelists discuss the Supreme Court ruling below.
