Bill Maher Tells Paramount Skydance to Ignore Trump’s Ratings Attacks

Key points

• The Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger has been completed, creating the new media conglomerate Skydance, headed by CEO David Ellison.
• Bill Maher addressed his new ownership structure in his Real Time opening monologue on October 2, 2026, noting that Paramount now owns Warner Discovery, which owns HBO, which owns him.
• Maher explicitly requested that his new bosses not believe President Trump's recent claims that his show's ratings are too low to sustain the program.
• President Trump had posted on Truth Social on Monday morning that Maher's ratings are 'SAD' and hard to believe the show can continue, while also stating that he personally likes Maher.
• Maher responded by saying Trump's insults do not bother him and joked that Trump should not mention his attendance at Cornell University, referencing recent news about a gang rape allegation at a Cornell University frat house.

Background

This incident follows a series of public clashes between Bill Maher and Donald Trump, including Maher's recent critiques of Trump's 'Pledge of Allegiance' at the Republican midterm convention and his grilling of Trump and Natalie Harp after leaked letters surfaced. The merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, which created Skydance, marks a significant shift in the media landscape, placing Maher's show under new corporate ownership. Trump's recent Truth Social post criticizing Maher's ratings is part of a broader pattern of the former president engaging in public disputes with media figures, as seen in his earlier actions regarding renaming geographic features like New Mexico to 'New America'.

Why it matters

The merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery creates a major media conglomerate, Skydance, which now controls HBO and Bill Maher's Real Time. This consolidation of media power raises questions about editorial independence and the influence of corporate ownership on content. Trump's public criticism of Maher's ratings, despite acknowledging a personal liking for him, highlights the ongoing tension between the former president and media figures, and the potential impact of such disputes on viewership and public perception. Maher's response, while lighthearted, underscores the challenges faced by media personalities in navigating political and corporate pressures.

What to watch

The newly formed Skydance entity, led by David Ellison, will likely face scrutiny regarding its editorial policies and the independence of its content, including Real Time. Trump's continued public engagement with media figures may lead to further disputes and potential impacts on viewership and public perception. The merger's long-term effects on the media landscape, including potential changes in content and corporate strategy, will be closely monitored by industry observers and the public.