When it was announced that Tim Walz would appear on Maher’s show, political insiders raised eyebrows. After all, Walz has had a rough few months, from public family squabbles over distant relatives endorsing Trump, to resurfaced allegations about his military service, to getting thrown out of Shaquille O’Neal’s restaurant (an incident that still haunts him). If ever there was a politician in need of some good press, it was Tim Walz. So, why he thought facing Bill Maher would be a good idea remains a mystery

Maher, known for his no-nonsense style and penchant for calling out political figures, didn’t exactly roll out the red carpet for Walz. From the moment the governor stepped onto the stage, the tension was palpable. Walz flashed his politician’s smile, clearly hoping to win over the audience with charm and vague platitudes, but Maher was having none of it.