‘Expected better’: Bill Maher splits Internet as he calls Trump ‘jolly good felon’ in hilarious take on hush money verdict

Bill Maher roasted Donald Trump after a jury found the former president guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records
On 'Real Time with Bill Maher', host Bill Maher reacted to Donald Trump's conviction in the hush money trial (Real Time/YouTube, Getty Images)
On 'Real Time with Bill Maher', host Bill Maher reacted to Donald Trump's conviction in the hush money trial (Real Time/YouTube, Getty Images)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: On the recent episode of 'Real Time with Bill Maher', Bill Maher had plenty to say about Donald Trump's guilty verdict in the criminal hush money trial.

On May 30, a New York jury convicted the former president on all 34 counts of falsifying business records.



 

Over the five weeks of testimony, the jury heard from a former tabloid publisher, a Hollywood fixer, Trump's former lawyer, and an adult film actress. The jury found Trump guilty of falsifying documents to cover up a payment intended to silence adult film actress Stormy Daniels about a sexual encounter ahead of the 2016 election.

Trump's sentencing has been scheduled for July 11. 

Bill Maher mocks Donald Trump over guilty verdict

Maher called Friday's episode a "historic show," highlighting that Trump is the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes.

“Yeah, he’s pretty distraught and pissed off these days,” the host said. “But I gotta say, Don, if there was a silver line to this, you finally did something that made Stormy [Daniels] come.”

He added, “You know what they say: don’t do the porn star if you can’t do the time.”

Maher then discussed Trump's legal strategy, noting that his lawyers are already preparing for an appeal against the charges and rulings.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media after his trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 20, 2024 in New York City. Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first of his criminal cases to go to trial. (Photo by Mark Peterson - Pool/Getty Images)
Donald Trump became the first former US president to be convicted of felony crimes (Mark Peterson - Pool/Getty Images)

“Their big talking point today is, ‘If they do it to me, this could happen to anyone'," Maher said, imitating Trump’s voice.

He added, “Yes, of course. I’ll have to remember that next time I’m cheating on my third wife with a porn star to pay her off when I’m running for president.”

Maher later remarked on the "distraught" reactions from Trump supporters and some Republicans after the former president's guilty verdict, observing that they are now trying to "cheer him up."

"Did you see when he walked out of the trial after the verdict? They’re all out there singing, 'For he’s a jolly good felon, for he’s a jolly good felon,'" the host joked, adding "Remember all those Republicans who were dressing like him? Now they’re all in orange jumpsuits. It’s very weird."

Internet reacts to Bill Maher's mockery of Donald Trump

Bill Maher's hilarious take on Donald Trump’s guilty verdict invited varied reactions online.

One viewer said, "Yes, he woke now!"

Another comment read, "Yes, he appealing! Good one!

(Real Time)

Another viewer said, "I hope Bill can get his TDS under control after this."

(Real Time)

One viewer noted, "Expected better from you Bill. This trial was horrific Stalinist show trial."

(Real Time)

A follower replied, "What made you think BM had values. This is who he is. Haven't you paid attention?"

One comment read, "This is the happiest day of Bill's life."

(Real Time)

Another comment read in support of Bill, "For Hes a Jolly Good Felon, That Nobody Can Deny! That Nobody Can Deny!

(Real Time)

However another person said, "This monologue isn't funny it's bulls**t."

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.  

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Attorney General Todd Blanche refused to identify whom Trump meant when he claimed he ordered a DOJ lawsuit over Alaska's Senate race
2026-10-25T20:46:10.000Z
President Donald Trump has repeatedly targeted Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed with inflammatory language during the 2026 campaign trail, labeling him a 'radical extremist' and other.
2026-10-25T19:24:12.000Z
Democratic Senator Adam Schiff called out the conflicting claims by President Donald Trump, Starlink’s operator SpaceX’s owner Elon Musk, and Ukrainian President Zelensky, saying 'somebody is lying'
2026-10-25T17:35:46.000Z
Donald Trump accused Murkowski of opposing the lawsuit, which he argued could help prevent votes from being diverted from the Republican incumbent to the other candidate with a similar name
2026-10-25T16:10:22.000Z
Susan Collins, Abdul El-Sayed, James Talarico and Jon Ossoff face voter concerns over affordability, health care, Iran and Donald Trump's influence
2026-10-25T08:08:10.000Z
Barack Obama questioned Pete Hegseth’s priorities, suggesting his focus on troops’ appearances distracted from more pressing military responsibilities
2026-10-25T06:41:45.000Z
Vivek Ramaswamy defended his controversial ad featuring Amy Acton’s estranged mother, accusing Acton of attacking his mother
2026-10-25T05:15:22.000Z
Elon Musk defended SpaceX’s decision, arguing that Starlink is a civilian commercial service and was never intended to support offensive drone strikes
2026-10-25T04:29:36.000Z
Ilhan Omar hired former Joe Biden attorney Amy Jeffress and Trump impeachment lawyer Joshua Matz amid a federal probe into her immigration history
2026-10-25T03:39:35.000Z
Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a localized ceasefire in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky to allow humanitarian aid deliveries and the evacuation of elderly civilians
2026-10-25T02:50:24.000Z