Bill Maher and Bill O’Reilly clash over who’s more popular

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Comedian Bill Maher and conservative commentator Bill O’Reilly found themselves in an unexpectedly personal squabble over who’s more popular. What started as playful banter on 'Real Time with Bill Maher' soon escalated into a humorous yet pointed battle of egos, with the audience reacting with a mix of shock, laughter, and applause. 

Bill O’Reilly challenges Bill Maher’s take on Democrats

During Friday night’s episode, O’Reilly tried to summarize what he believes are Maher’s views on the modern Democratic Party—claiming it’s “disenchanted” and too focused on fringe “garbage,” which he said was “diluting” its traditional message.

“I wouldn’t put it that way,” Maher interjected, “but go ahead.”

When O’Reilly suggested Maher might want to borrow his phrasing “because that’s a good way to put it,” Maher shot back, “Well, I’m still on the air and you’re not, but go ahead.”

The audience burst into laughter and gasps, while fellow guest Rep. Jared Moskowitz awkwardly took a sip of his drink.

“I expected that,” O’Reilly said, before pivoting to his own success story—a town hall he hosted on NewsNation two weeks ago.

“You can add up all the HBOs you want, you’re not going to come close. Just want to correct the record,” O’Reilly told Maher.

Moskowitz jokingly offered his tape measure if either of the men wanted it, prompting O’Reilly to respond, “Let Maher and I go at it—the people love this.”

Bill O’Reilly defends his career and ratings record

O’Reilly dominated cable news for years, hosting the highest-rated show on Fox News for 16 of his 21 years there, until 'The O’Reilly Factor' ended in 2017 after a New York Times report detailed multiple sexual misconduct settlements

A NewsNation press release later clarified that while O’Reilly claimed 23 million people had tuned in, the number actually represented online views of the highlights. The televised town hall, which O’Reilly co-hosted with Chris Cuomo and Stephen A. Smith, drew 788,000 live viewers.

Bill Maher and Bill O’Reilly end on a lighter note

Referring to a 'Finding Your Roots' episode where the two discovered they were distantly related, Maher joked that he and O’Reilly were “actually cousins.”

“I’m at a family gathering?!” Moskowitz laughed, before the discussion finally returned to politics.

The two eventually found some common ground—O’Reilly said, “Both parties have just gone completely away from why they were founded,” and Maher replied, “Yes, both. You’re right.”