Bill Maher slammed for prison assault joke about Trump while criticizing high US incarceration rate

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY: On the June 8 episode of his HBO show, 'Real Time With Bill Maher,' Bill Maher quipped that many have envisioned Donald Trump facing sexual assault if he ends up in prison for his 34 felony convictions.

The comedian highlighted the "puzzling paradox" where rape jokes are generally deemed "completely unacceptable and unthinkable," except when they pertain to prison scenarios.

Bill Maher jokes about Trump in jail, despite low probability 

Maher's quips follow Trump's conviction on 34 felony counts in New York. Trump, a first-time non-violent offender, is scheduled for sentencing on July 11 after the hush money trial. However, The Washington Post says that the probability of the same is near zero.

Maher predicted that such jokes would become more common following the former president's recent convictions for falsifying business records.

"With all the talk now about Trump possibly going to jail, we've all been doing it. I mean, come on, it's Donald Trump!" he joked, adding, "Given the opportunity, it's natural to want to imagine him getting f**ked in the a**."

However, Maher's peculiar joke led to a serious discussion about Americans' attitudes toward criminal punishment and the country's prison system as a whole.

"I'm just saying maybe we shouldn't (joke about prison rape)," he continued. "If not for him, then for the nearly two million people behind bars at any given time in this country. That's more people than in 12 states. They should have their own two senators."

Bill Maher criticizes America's high incarceration rate and dangerous prison conditions

The host emphasized that the US has a higher incarceration rate than Russia, China, or nearly any other country that concerns Americans.

"But for some reason, Americans simply accept that not only do we lock up way more people, but that if you’re a criminal of any kind? Yes, sodomy is the appropriate comeuppance," he said with disdain.

He elaborated that numerous prisons are so overcrowded that inmates must contend for access to toilets and showers, sleep on the floor, or endure solitary confinement.

The United States hosts four of the world's 25 most dangerous prisons: the Florence Supermax in Colorado, Attica near Buffalo, San Quentin north of San Francisco, and the New Mexico State Penitentiary.

Furthermore, a fifth prison, FCI Dublin near Oakland, is being closed down due to widespread staff-on-inmate sexual abuse. The entrenched "rape club" culture among guards was so deeply rooted that reform efforts were deemed impossible, he explained.

Netizens say Maher 'hates Trump beyond the pale'

Bill Maher faced severe backlash for his comments on Trump's prison time, particularly his joke about prison rape. 

A viewer expressed, "As the adage goes, 'Many a true word is said in jest.' It's what Maher and his minions are hoping for."

In a similar fashion, another observer added, "He is disgusting and disrespectful. It’s sad that the politics in our country have come to this. No way to treat a former President even if you don’t like their politics. It’s funny how the liberal media doesn’t follow up and interview Biden’s daughter who in her diary writes about taking long showers with her dad."

Furthermore, a viewer pointed out, "I believe Bill Maher let his mouth say what is really his fantasy… Maher would love it if that would happen to him, he’s already a 'they.'"

Joining the discussion, a follower shared, "He has a severe case of TDS."

A remark underscored, "No, Bill, we haven’t all been imagining that. What is wrong with you?"

Similarly, another comment echoed, "Bill hates trump beyond the pale. Bill has insight in some things yet his hatred for trump skews his view. and I'm not a trumpster. More objective that Bil." [sic]

Delving deeper into the topic, an individual elaborated, "I usually like Maher but he crossed the line here. You should not wish violence on anyone."

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