Bill Maher jokes Supreme Court will be ‘a lovely ballroom’ after it blocks Trump’s tariffs

WASHINGTON, DC: Bill Maher took aim at President Donald Trump, joking that the Supreme Court of the United States might one day become “a lovely ballroom” after it blocked Trump’s emergency tariffs. Maher shared a clip from his ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’ monologue on X, highlighting the president’s furious reaction to the 6–3 ruling that struck down his tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act as unconstitutional.

In the 4:44 clip, Maher quipped, “If you like the Supreme Court building, enjoy it while you can. It’s going to make a lovely ballroom,” drawing laughter from the audience. He also questioned why past presidents hadn’t attempted similar tariff measures, answering himself: previous leaders recognized they were illegal.

Bill Maher mocks Supreme Court after blocking Trump tariffs

“You ever been thinking to yourself, why didn’t other presidents try this without Congress?” Maher asked during his monologue. He mocked Trump’s habit of blurring seriousness and humor, mimicking the former president, “Uh, or maybe when he says that it was just a joke we don’t know. You have to know when he’s joking. And it’s not that easy, uh?”

Maher’s satire highlighted the unusual nature of a judicial rebuke against a sitting president, blending humor with sharp commentary on Trump’s approach to governance.

Trump lashes out at Supreme Court justices

Trump responded angrily to the ruling, calling it a “disgrace” and expressing shame toward several justices. In a February 20 press briefing, he said, “The Supreme Court’s ruling on tariffs is deeply disappointing, and I’m ashamed of certain members of the court—absolutely ashamed—for not having the courage to do what’s right for our country.”

He accused the court’s liberal justices of being “disloyal to our Constitution” and “swayed by foreign interests.” Conservative Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Brett Kavanaugh dissented. Trump praised them for their “strength and wisdom” while branding the justices who ruled against him as “fools and lapdogs.”

Bill Maher highlights the absurdity of Trump’s tariff strategy

Maher also questioned why Trump would attempt tariffs previously rejected as unconstitutional, pointing to the potential consequences of overstepping legal authority. His monologue underscored the tension between the White House and the Supreme Court, blending political satire with cultural commentary.