Bill Maher, host of HBO’s Real Time, weighed in on the debate over so-called Trump Accounts during Friday’s broadcast, drawing a comparison to former President George W. Bush’s push to let workers invest part of their Social Security payroll taxes in the stock market.
According to a clip posted by Breitbart, Maher said the Trump Accounts remind him of Bush’s proposal, which he argued was actually sound but was killed by political opposition.
What Maher Said
During a discussion of the accounts, Maher said: “I remember George Bush wanted to put the money that we — when you start paying into Social Security, when you’re 20 or what? 18, or whatever it is, into the stock market, and [people] went, oh, wow, what a terrible idea, not a terrible idea.”
He noted that the money would be locked away until retirement age, making long-term stock market investment a more attractive option than keeping it in a bank account.
“You’re not going to be able to touch it until you’re 65 anyway,” Maher said. “Look at the chart of where the money in the stock [market], it outpaces just putting it in the bank by an exponential number.”
When asked why the Bush proposal never went anywhere, Maher offered a blunt answer: “Well, because politics, I guess.”
He then linked the two ideas directly, saying: “This seems like it’s the same thing.”
Context and Reaction
The comments come amid ongoing debate over the proposed Trump Accounts, which would allow individuals to set aside a portion of their wages for investment. Supporters argue the plan would give Americans more control over their retirement savings, while critics have raised concerns about market risk and the potential impact on Social Security’s finances.
Maher’s remarks are notable given his typical criticism of Republican policies. By likening the Trump Accounts to Bush’s Social Security plan — and calling that plan “not a terrible idea” — he appeared to offer at least partial backing for the concept.
The Bush administration’s proposal, floated in 2005, would have allowed younger workers to divert a portion of their payroll taxes into personal investment accounts. It faced fierce resistance from Democrats and some Republicans, and was ultimately shelved.
Maher’s comments have drawn attention on social media, with some conservatives sharing the clip as evidence that the idea has support across the aisle. Others have pushed back, arguing that the comparison oversimplifies a complex policy debate.
Breitbart reported on the exchange, noting that Maher made the remarks during a panel discussion on Friday’s episode.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2026/08/15/maher-trump-accounts-make-sense-like-bushs-social-security-idea/