'Battle of the bands': Bill Maher mocks GOP presidential candidates in 'Real Time' monologue

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Real Time' host Bill Maher humorously likened this week's fourth Republican primary debate, lacking former President and prominent candidate Donald Trump, to "a battle of the bands between the other women in Destiny’s Child and the surviving members of The Doors."

Maher drew a parallel to the remaining Destiny’s Child members, who featured in Beyoncé’s recent concert documentary "Renaissance," highlighting the absence of the main figures in both scenarios.

Maher notes 'there are four of them left on the island' 

He said, "The Republicans had another one of their debates without Trump, and it's becoming quite a spectacle. Now, there are four of them left on the island, and it's just sad. It's like a battle of the bands between the other women in Destiny's Child and the surviving members of The Doors."

In another part of his monologue, Maher delved into the "crazy right-wing stuff" unfolding in the conservative sphere.

He pointed out, "The state of New Hampshire is suggesting a ban on abortion kicking in at 15 days after gestation. You're not even pregnant yet—15 days. Not weeks, just days."

With a touch of humor, Maher shared an anecdote, saying, "They questioned the mind behind this bill, asking, What were you thinking? His response? I don't know, I never got past second base."

Donald Trump calls Ron DeSantis 'not fit' to be President

The debate took place in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and was hosted by the conservative news network NewsNation with Trump sharing his opinion on the debate outcome on Truth Social on December 9.

In his post, he mentioned, "So many people are asking what I thought of history’s lowest rated ‘presidential’ debate, & how would I rate the players. It’s so easy to be a critic, but who on this subject would be better than me. To begin with, I thought Ron DeSanctimonious was terrible, with his bobble head facial movements & his walking on eggs, but that Sloppy Chris Christie was worse."

“He’s not fit, mentally or physically, to be President plus, he suffers from TDS, or Trump Derangement Syndrome, at levels not seen before,” he continued.

“In other words, he is a ‘sick puppy.’ On top of it all, his poll numbers are just 1%, in a class with ‘Aida’ Hutchinson. He’s dead, but so is Ron, whose weird bobbing head and fresh mouth, make his high heels look good – He’s walking on eggs!”

Trump presented his assessment, "Birdbrain had a different look and seemed lost, but I'll give her second place. Vivek WINS because he thinks I'm great. The most significant loser in my book was Megyn Kelly—what happened to her? She's lost whatever she once had, which wasn't much to begin with. Some things never change!"

On a different note, the Republican National Committee declared on Friday that it won't endorse any debates in 2024. Instead, candidates are free to take part in debates that the party does not officially sanction.