Bill Maher corrects Hunter Biden’s ‘nobody asked Kushner’ claim, points to Netanyahu
WASHINGTON, DC: Bill Maher on Friday, August 21, corrected Hunter Biden on his claim that “nobody” had asked President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to serve as a US emissary in the Iran peace talks, noting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had personally sought Kushner's involvement.
Hunter then acknowledged Netanyahu's request after Maher's intervention. The two also discussed Biden's past business dealings and whether he benefited financially from his father's political influence.
Bill Maher challenges Hunter Biden's claim about Jared Kushner's Iran role
Hunter criticized Kushner's involvement in US Middle East diplomacy while discussing the ongoing conflict with Iran. He also questioned Kushner's financial ties to Saudi Arabia and his role in negotiations involving the region.
Hunter Biden: “[Jared Kushner] is our unelected, unappointed emissary to the Middle East for war that nobody asked for. It is absurd.”
— RedWave Press (@RedWavePress) August 22, 2026
Bill Maher: “Not nobody.”
Hunter Biden: “Oh, that's true. Bibi Netanyahu asked for it.”
Bill Maher: “Your father. Among every other… pic.twitter.com/SBZFvImb4R
“He (Kushner) gets paid over a hundred million dollars in fees by the Saudis. The Saudis alone, for a six-and-a-half billion-dollar fund that he controls, and he is our unelected, unappointed emissary to the Middle East for a war that nobody asked for. It is absurd,” Hunter said. Maher immediately interrupted to challenge one part of the claim. “Not nobody,” Maher said.
Hunter then acknowledged the exception, replying, “That's true. Benjamin Netanyahu asked” for Kushner's involvement in US Iran peace talks.
Maher then turned the discussion toward the long-running debate over Iran's nuclear program and US policy toward Tehran. “I mean, your father, your father, among every other Democrat, excuse me, every Democrat said Iran can't have nuclear weapons,” Maher said.
Hunter responded that previous presidents had rejected calls for military action against Iran. “Every president since Jimmy Carter refused what the Israelis wanted. Refused what the Israelis wanted, was to bomb Iran. The only person who fell for it was Donald Trump,” Hunter said. Maher agreed with that characterization, responding, “Yeah, true.”
The exchange came as Trump has continued to defend his administration's military and economic pressure on Iran. Kushner and US envoy Steve Witkoff have played prominent roles in negotiations over the conflict, including efforts to reach an agreement following the expiration of a 60-day negotiating period.
Maher presses Hunter Biden on business dealings and family name
The interview also turned to Hunter's past business activities and claims that he benefited from his father's political connections. Hunter said he did not conduct business while his father was president, arguing that his income during that period came from selling artwork.
“One of the things that people don't understand is that when my dad was president, I didn't do any business. I sold paintings to people that then had to testify before Congress under oath. I made an average of $225,000 a year,” Hunter said.
Maher then raised Hunter's previous position on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma Holdings, which he held from 2014 to 2019 while Joe Biden was vice president. “You got that job because (of your dad). Just admit it,” Maher said. Hunter then replied, “yeah, I just did. 100%.”
Maher also compared Hunter's earnings with those of Donald Trump's children, saying his income was far smaller than what Donald Trump Jr has made through his business activities.
