Real Time with Bill Maher - Overtime – Episode #726: Kara Swisher, Rahm Emanuel, Jake Sullivan

Episode Date: April 21, 2026

Bill Maher and his guests answer viewer questions after the show. (Originally aired 4/17/26) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to an HBO podcast from the HBO late-night series, Real Time with Bill Maher. Hosting into series, Kara Swisher wants to live forever, air in Saturdays at 9. Karas Swisher. He's a professor at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, former national security advisor under Joe Biden, Jake Sullivan, and he was Obama's White House Chief of Staff, Mayor of Chicago, Ambassador of Japan, Rahm Emanuel. Wow, what a resume we have here. Okay, so you probably just watched.

You're on overtime here, the show where I ended with the thing about AI. All of you said to me right after it ended, I'm right. So we all know that it's going to kill us, but we just keep going toward the cliff like the Lemmings. Is that about it? You've said something very powerful in your statement there. You said, the very people building this technology are warning us about what it's going to happen. They're saying, we're doing this. We're on the cutting edge of this.

And it's really dangerous. do something, and all of us are just kind of like, oh, I guess we'll say what happened. Here's the thing. They did this a long time ago. I was at dinner parties where they're like, we don't know how it works constantly. This was a decade ago.

And one of the things I started warning about the social media was the same thing. This is dangerous. And they're more interested in the journey and the money because all of those people, Ilan Musk, took billions and millions of dollars to develop it more. It's not like they're stopping. Elon Musk did not say,

it's so dangerous. I'm terrified of it. Now I want to stop. suing to get control of Open AI or paid by it or funded. So every one of those people who yells safety is also taking money from Ventricabst to grow bigger. So what can we do? The warning sign here, well, the federal government's going to have to finally do something right.

They can't kind of go the three-monkey routines, see no evil, hear no evil, no evil. When Dario Anthropic says, I'm not putting this product out, I'm not living in a world where one CEO's moral compass is what saves us. That is not how this is. going to work. And the federal government is going to have to finally do something. You're going to get industry, academics, public policy people, all around the table. And what we do in federal government is we set a regulation, we wait 30 years to say it'll work. This is going to have to be real time constantly updating things. But the federal government cannot do, which is this wild

west, because these guys, as you put their pictures up there, that looks a little bit like an FBI photo shot, cannot be in control. They have to have adult supervision. But can we go back to Dario is not releasing this because he's got a moral conscience. He is. He's just releasing it to 40 big companies. You think it's not going to get it. You think you can release something to 40

major companies and it's not going to get out to everybody at a certain point? I give it about a month. It is a low bar. That's what it is. He's the best and it's a low bar. What's really interesting is that we're not going to regulate. They have so much money. You know how much money they have. I'm about to become a trillionaire.

And it's absolutely going to happen. And with that much money and that much influence, they can't even pass a basic privacy bill. I've been screaming about it for 20 years. They get mowed down by lobbyists and PACs and everything else. And now there's a new AI PAC that they're funding. All of these same people are funding the AI PAC. They're funding a crypto.

Crypto PAC, which got rid of, I mean, they can buy anything. But you know Elon pretty well. Yes. Well, not anymore, but yeah. Right. Okay. Well, it's been a little more. knows you.

A little more of losing. I know Elon won. Those quotes I read from him, they're from a few years ago, at least. It seems like he was the guy, because I do remember when he first said that statement, and it was the first time I'd ever really heard anybody say anything like that. Well, he said it to me at an interview that we did. But it was a while ago. It was.

It was. It was. It was. It was. Oh, this has not been on my radar. Okay. Elon says it. Maybe it is a thing.

But lately, I don't hear that from him. Of course you don't. Because he wants to be part of the rush of winning. And one of the things, when he said that, and he said it at a conference, because that's when he started OpenAI, with Sam Altman and with others, because they were scared of the power of the Googles and the Facebooks and the Apples. And it was to protect people and create guardrails. And instead, it's so much money.

They have to go for it, I think. And now it's a dick measuring. So, Kara, is there any answer to this then? I mean, because I think you've sketched out this money motive is massive, but we've got to be able to do something. I think people, because people are sick of this. Like, the suicides, I've interviewed all those parents who kids have died. And these people are still trying to skate out of culpability,

like as if it's not accountability, legal lawsuits, and someday a perp walk. I'm sorry, it has to happen. One thing is, one, first I actually think it's one place that actually Xi and Trump when they meet in about a month actually can agree on something because both of them are scared of this. Right. Not fully not. The second thing...

You think Trump is scared of it? No, I don't think Trump is, but he's desperate for a deal. anything was G, so he looks good, desperate, and I think this could be the one place. Second, I would just say you had two trials slightly off sides, I mean off to the side, which is on the social media and kids.

They all went to jury, and the jury took like 10 seconds, boom, slapped him down. That tells you how angry and anxious people are. It's separate issue than AI. But these media moguls slash technology mogul do not understand the loathing people have for the way they are acting.

They're buying me. They're buying me. Right now, the Democratic Party. Right now, the close. It's like in the polls it's right there. But guessing is the boss is going to be. Like, they're buying everything, whether it's Apple, it's not just Larry Ellis, and they're all buying the media property. See, I don't think it's on Trump's radar.

I can't think of anybody in that administration. And this is why I fight back so people who say, you shouldn't have had dinner with Trump. I should have dinner with him again. Because I'd bring this up in two seconds. And he would listen. I can't, who is bringing it up in that administration? Who is bringing, what? Now, the person who's radar is on now is Scott Besson.

Yeah. Who called in all these guys. Why? Because he's worried that this mythos gets out. You get cyber attacks. You get a complete collapse of the financial system with it. But more than that, no, he did have people. He brought in David Sacks.

We know that for a fact that Scott Besson is aware. That he's actually summoned these folks. They both called him in and said, okay, wait a second here. Time out. This has been a wake-up call for that. But who did they put in place? David Sacks was. The AIs are, he's a longtime Silicon Valley investor, tight with Peter Thiel and Elon and the rest of them.

They brought in Emil Michael to the Pentagon who did that ridiculous thing around anthropic, like calling them, never called an American company. Yeah, Peter Thiel, who was asked, like, should humans keep living? And it was like not an immediate answer. No. It was like, I'm thinking. You know. That's not an SAT question.

That is not an SAT question. They think we're going to be the, we are the, you know, this is the singularity. I remember when Ray Kurzweil was talking. He's still doing it. What? Singular. He's still doing. He's still around.

And he predicted this a long time ago. Oh, he wants it. He wants, right. It was between predicting it and wanting it. Yeah. I don't want to be half robot. I mean, look, the parts that are not my brain, yes. As your doctor, you're not half robot, okay?

It's not happening to you. It's not happening to you. It's not everybody else, but for you, you're not going to be a half a robot. You're not a doctor That's your brother All right Let's move on These are from the people

You ever proposed This is for you You have proposed A 10% tax on prediction markets A 10% tax on them Okay, what kind of impact would this make? Give me the bones on this The bones on it?

10% on online gaming Prediction market You know, polymarket Polymarket Yeah and Cal As Kara said when you guys were doing the interview we're cutting National Institute of Health, National Science Foundation,

the DARPA by 40%. Xi in China is doubling up every year on their research. We're losing the race. We're sitting on fumes, and we have to increase our research and development dollars. We have $400 billion in growing spent on gambling. I want to bet on America, not bet against America, and that's what we're doing right now,

and plow all the money into doubling up on research so we don't lose this race on fusion, nuclear energy, quantum computing, life sciences, to the Chinese, which we are now losing. So you think the polymarketing are that influential? I think the polymark, oh, absolutely, and I also think there's insight trading going on. And I do think online sport gaming, and you put them all together, it's $400 billion. And growing, I'm for $40 to $50 billion of additional money going into finding a cure for cancer, finding a new energy source around fusion.

We're not doing it, and the Chinese are competing, winning, and we're sitting here on the sidelines. Except they just created a pack for that, the gambling. Yes, I can't tell you this. So my view, 10% across the board to create the revenue goes in the lockbox. The second thing, everybody in the federal government, everybody, you are banned from participating

in the online markets. I'm going to say this. You have kids from Peoria and Pontiac fighting a war, and you've got a bunch of Nepo babies down in Palm Beach betting on it. That's not how we do this in America. And making a lot of money, too, right? They pick the moment, when are we going to hit the Supreme Leader?

There's a bet on that hour before it happens. Because they know. They know. We have seen more trades on oils on the oil market within minutes before the trade. That is, you don't need a insider trading is against the law, and nobody, the cop's not showing up. So my view, 10% tax. And if you get a credit. And if you get a credit.

John's on Jr. is in those two companies. I didn't say Nepo Baby Palm Beach. Okay, got it. Lazzang surgelly, Pugent, power of course. We're ready to play. Veeve the pleasure with the Ojo. Direct.

Profite to 50 tours gratu on Big Bas Bonanza without without any of the

money and it's done to get whew! Sontier the Pleasure Play Ojo 18 years

10 years, 1 depose only depo in Ontario. 50 tours free to money as sub

Big Basinza deposit Depoe dollars. Beyeh money to play to responsibility

in Europe and around the world what do you think of Victor Orban's defeat last week?

I did have that exact thought. Like again the media kind of played me I mean, for years, all I've been reading about is he's the second coming of Stalin. There will never be democracy again in Hungary.

And then, oh, actually, well, people got tired of a guy just like they'd do in every democracy. They didn't like him, and they wanted somebody with different policies, and they voted him out, and he went and conceded the next day. So I do feel a little used. Well, I'll say one thing about this. This guy, you'll hurt. This guy did everything he could to tilt the playing field in his favor. And yet, when you add up all the harms that he did to Hungary

and this new movement that came in that you would like because it set aside all the old constituencies, all the old special. It said, we're going to bring everyone together. We're not going to wilt, as you were saying before, this young guy, Peter Majar. And they had to run through new media because they couldn't use the old media.

In fact, this guy went on television now, having won the election, went on state TV, which would not let opposition figures appear, and said the first thing I'd do is Prime Minister, you down. So he was rigging the game. No doubt if that is. I agree. But then he got a bad guy. Here's a lesson for Democrats. I mean this and the rest of Europe. He made Orban's corruption relevant to your inability to pay.

So in my case, President of the United States gets a plane from Qatar. You get six bucks a gallon. Great trade, as my mother would say, such a deal. Who would not think? I mean, here's it. He's going to get his arch and you can't afford the golden arches. And I've got to go right at... Well done. Okay. Thank you. My thing is, it wasn't, you know, all the elites say, oh, it's corruption. Oh, corruption never sells, you idiot.

It's making the corruption relative in how you're getting screwed. And that's the lesson from Orban. You're the only person at this table making that case. And I think it's a very, it is a great point. It is. You never let go over it. Not for the rest of your life. Cannabis use is on the rise among women.

Oh, in the United States. And for the first time, recently. Oh, perfect for 420 coming up on Monday. For the first time, recently outpaced men. Why does the panel think that is? No idea. Can we go back to AI? Yeah, I don't know.

I mean, because men are bad? Who's the expert here? And we need to get high? On pot? Yeah. And women. What do you think of J.D. Vance saying the Pope should be more careful when talking about theology? These guys

Let me take that one No I'm just one He's the Catholic right I mean As I've said He has the charm of a cyber truck As a politician I mean look

The Pope is also an American citizen And should be able to say whatever he feels like Under the First Amendment Yeah, that's right And He just looks like a putz I don't know Well, he's such a recent convert.

The Pope is an Augustinian-trained Pope. Augustine is the one that could develop the concept of just war. You're going to lecture the Pope on the concept of just war. I think, as one Jewish kid, that takes a lot of chutzpah. And that takes a lot of chutzpah. And I got a lot of chutzpah, but that is a lot of hootting. That wasn't like Augustine's main thing. His main thing was that you're born with originally.

sin, you're evil to begin with, and that's why you need the Catholic Church. That's why you need him to tell you what it just was. So Augustine was not a good guy either. He's going to out Catholic you right now. I'm not going for the Catholic. I'm not for Jews for Jesus, but I am for Jews for Pope Leo. I'm setting that up as my new non-for-profit.

Jay Bands did not have a great week. I mean, lecturing the Pope about theology, which I don't know a Latin for Hutz by his, but that is crazy. Right. Going and showing up with Orban saying, vote for this guy, and then getting absolutely repudiated, then 21 hours in Pakistan

and he comes home and he comes home and is like I got nothing. That's like in... Don't leave out the hall he couldn't fail. Well, there you go. So that's in one week. Don't assume that Trump's not also setting him up. And meanwhile, Marco Rubio's with Trump at the UFC fight in Miami. Don't assume that there's not some evilness by Dr.

Plotting to discredit J.D. Ben, why does he have to do that? It's his pick anyway. But all he has to do is say my pick for my successor is and his people will following. It isn't that to do the plot. It's not as delicious unless you're pulling out someone's toenails. That's how it goes with this guy. When was the last time he's ever showed any loyalty? No. And what he wants to show is that the Republican Party is nothing without me.

He's going to walk out and he's going to show them. There's a one-way street on loyalty. I know that personality trait of him because I've seen it in other people. He likes, he wants, needs ass kissers around him, but then he does not respect them. If you do it, he doesn't respect you. He actually likes me, because I didn't do it. Yeah, I can tell by us, quick. I think it's like, exactly. He likes to punch down and kiss up. That's what this president does.

Ram, what is one thing Japan does well that America should consider adopting? It's the most beautiful thing I've seen. Five-year-olds walk to school all alone. Yes. And they don't, there's no fear. They go across the streets. They walk out of the box. And it is, it is, I tell, I told all the Japanese businessers,

you can have Mount Fuji. A five-year-old this big, a backpack this big, with their little uniform, they come to a street, they put their hands up, all the cars stop. No, it's sublime. It makes me cry when I think about how gorgeous that is. Yes, and it is. That's the one person that's done it. Right.

But you think you can transfer that to us? America? No. We're not good people like that. What can we learn? I'll tell you this. They have a sense of respect and sense of community. We wear masks to protect ourselves.

They wore a mask to make sure you didn't get sick. And respect for others is a quality that if you ask me what we could learn, Japan has it in spades, and it's an unbelievably beautiful quality. And you see it where they nurture these children and give them back. We've stolen our children's childhood. They have given it to them. And that, to me, is one thing we can learn from them. Good. Say that when you run.

All right. Thank you, everybody. Catch all new episodes of Real Time with Bill Maher every Friday night at 10. Or watch them anytime on HBO On Demand. For more information, log on to HBO.com.