During Friday night’s episode of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, the comedian and political commentator addressed the issue of prison conditions and the prevalence of prison rape. Maher, in his “New Rules” segment, began by referencing the potential prison sentence facing former President Donald Trump over the 34 felony convictions in the Stormy Daniels hush money trial.
Maher quipped that while it may seem natural to imagine Trump facing sexual assault in prison, he questioned whether it’s appropriate to entertain such thoughts. He pointed out the paradox of how rape jokes are deemed unacceptable, yet jokes about prison rape are often considered humorous.
He jokingly remarked on the common trope of dropping the soap in the prison shower and cautioned against indulging in fantasies of Trump experiencing such treatment. Maher highlighted the serious issue of the millions of people incarcerated in the United States and the high rates of incarceration compared to other countries.
He pointed out the irony of America’s high incarceration rate despite being a country that prides itself on freedom, and criticized the acceptance of prison rape as a form of punishment. Maher concluded by suggesting that society should reconsider its attitudes towards incarceration and the treatment of prisoners, urging for more humane practices.
And finally, New Rule. Someone has to look into the puzzling paradox of why it is that rape jokes are completely unacceptable and unthinkable and totally out of bounds — but raped in prison jokes? Fucking hilarious!
It’s never–. Never a bad time to hear the one about how if you drop the soap in the prison shower, don’t bend over for it!
And look, with all the talk now about Trump possibly going to jail, we– we’ve all been doing it. I mean, come on, it’s Donald Trump!
Given the opportunity, it’s natural to want to imagine him getting fucked in the ass.
(laughter and applause)
I’m just saying maybe we shouldn’t. If not for him, then for the nearly 2 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. And one can be Bob Menendez.
America has a higher incarceration rate than Russia or China, or almost any of the other evildoer countries we’re always shitting our pants over. And yet, for some reason, everything at Walgreens is still locked behind plexiglass.
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.
