Bill Maher’s ‘Trap’ Humiliates Adam Schiff During Live Show
Bill Maher caught California Senator Adam Schiff off guard while discussing the attacks on Iran, leading Schiff to inadvertently criticize the Obama administration. During his show “Real Time” on Friday, Maher read a 2011 quote from the Obama camp regarding presidential authority in authorizing military strikes, without mentioning the former president’s name.
“This statement from the administration: ‘The president had the constitutional authority to direct the use of military force because he could reasonably determine that such use of force was in the national interest.’ That’s too vague for you?” Maher asked Schiff, who has vehemently – and wrongly – claimed that Trump had no authority to strike Iran without congressional approval.
“Totally vague,” the senator replied confidently.
“OK. Because that’s from Obama about Libya,” Maher revealed.
At that point, Schiff attempted to justify Obama’s decision – because both are Democrats – by bringing up a totally unrelated scenario involving Syria.
“Well, Obama made the argument, um, initially that he could go into Syria without an authorization,” the senator said while trying to gather himself, adding that he opposed the move.
“I and many others pushed back on that argument. Ultimately, he did not go forward with going after [former Syrian President] Assad — even though Assad was gassing his own people — because he thought he might lose the vote in Congress,” Schiff continued.
“But I respect the fact that, uh, that was important to [Obama], and the fact that he did not have the support of Congress meant that we weren’t going to go forward,” Schiff noted.
Retired General Jack Keane and Fox News host Will Cain got into a heated on-air discussion over one of the most important unresolved issues surrounding President Donald Trump’s Iran operation: what is the endgame?
As Fox continued its extensive coverage of Operation Epic Fury, the U.S.-Israeli military campaign targeting Iran’s leadership, missile infrastructure, and nuclear-related sites, a heated moment took place on “The Will Cain Show” on Monday.
Keane, a longtime Iran hawk and one of Fox’s most well-known military analysts, joined Cain to talk about the operation’s status. The retired four-star general contended that the goal was obvious: to destroy the infrastructure that supports Tehran’s regime and its capacity to pose a threat to Israel, the United States, and the region.
Cain, however, attempted to push for greater clarity on the overarching objective while still expressing his support for the mission.
Cain said, “It’s not 100% clear to me, General, and that’s not to suggest that I don’t support 100% what is happening, nor do I 100% offer my support,” as a chyron that read, “What is the goal for Iran?” sat at the bottom of the screen.
“But I just think I want to ask a couple of critical questions, and I hope you know how much respect I have for your service, and I think it goes without saying to anyone watching, the respect I have for the men making that decision –”
Keane cut him off before he could finish.
“You don’t have to patronize me. Just ask the question. Go ahead, come on. Ask it.”
Cain seemed taken aback by the interruption, but the host quickly pushed back, making clear he was not trying to flatter his guest but to frame the stakes for viewers watching at home.
“To be clear, General, I am not patronizing you. I’m trying to have a very serious conversation in front of the American people.
“The men making these decisions have my utmost respect. This is less about you than everyone making these decisions. This is about the American people understanding what lies before them.”
The exchange quickly spread online, with viewers sharply divided over who came off better.
Some defended Keane, arguing Cain had spent too much time dressing up his question instead of simply asking it.
Others sided with Cain, saying he was doing exactly what a host should do — voicing support for the troops and commanders while still pressing for clarity about a military campaign that could carry major consequences for the country.
Trump Warns Iran of ‘Total Obliteration’ if They Try To Harm Him HH
President Donald Trump warned Iran that continued assassination threats made by leaders in Tehran would be met with the country getting “blown up” and “total obliteration.”
“Well, they shouldn’t be doing it but I’ve left notification,” Trump said. “Anything ever happens, we’re going to blow the whole — the whole country’s going to get blown up.”
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Biden-era Intelligence officials briefed Trump about the alleged threats against him during his presidential campaign in 2024. Former Attorney General Merrick Garland said the plot was retaliation for the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani by the U.S. in 2020, during Trump’s first administration.
Despite being briefed by his administration, Trump on Tuesday said President Biden “should have said something” on the matter, adding that presidents should defend each other on such matters.
“But I have very firm instructions,” Trump continued. “Anything happens, they’re going to wipe them off the face of this earth.”
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Trump also spoke about the ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran in Geneva.
“What are you expecting from these Iran talks in Geneva?” a reporter asked Trump aboard Air Force One.
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“So, I’ll be involved in those talks indirectly, and they’ll be very important. We’ll see what can happen. Typically, Iran’s a very tough negotiator; they’re good negotiators — or bad negotiators. I would say they’re bad negotiators because we could have had a deal instead of sending the B2s to knock out their nuclear potential. We had to send the B2s. I hope they’re going to be more reasonable. They want to make a deal,” Trump said.
“Have you been told that a deal is next to impossible?” the reporter followed up.
Trump replied, “No. I think they want to make a deal. I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal. They want to make a deal.”
WATCH:
Trump previously said that he instructed officials to destroy Iran if they killed him.
The president said this after signing an executive order right after taking office that gave him all the tools he needed to talk to Iran’s government and put as much pressure on Tehran as possible.
“They haven’t done that and that would be a terrible thing for them to do,” Trump said at the time. “Not because of me — if they did that, they would be obliterated. That would be the end. I’ve left instructions, if they do it, they get obliterated, there won’t be anything left. And, they shouldn’t be able to do it.”
Trump warned last week that the United States could send additional warships toward Iran if ongoing diplomatic negotiations fail to produce a deal, signaling that military pressure could increase as talks over Tehran’s nuclear program stall.
In remarks to Axios, Trump said the administration is considering deploying a second aircraft carrier strike group to the region in addition to the USS Abraham Lincoln and 9 additional warships already positioned near Iran, though he expressed hope that a diplomatic agreement can still be reached.
“Either we will make a deal or we will have to do something very tough like last time,” the president told Axios on Tuesday, a reference to the bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites in June.
“Last time they didn’t believe I would do it. They overplayed their hand,” Trump added. “We have an armada that is heading there and another one might be going.”
The president emphasized that the United States is seeking to persuade Iran to curb its nuclear ambitions, halt the development of its ballistic missile program, and end support for militant proxy groups. Iranian officials have so far resisted expanding negotiations beyond nuclear-related issues.
He described the nuclear issue as a “matter of course” part of any negotiation, but also insisted that an agreement with Iran must also address Tehran’s ballistic missile stockpiles, per Axios.
Trump said the US “can make a great deal with Iran,” and Tehran “very much wants to make a deal.”
Trump’s comments came ahead of a planned visit to Washington, D.C. by Benjamin Netanyahu, who is expected to press for a tougher U.S. stance and broader terms for any Iran deal that would include constraints on Tehran’s missile capabilities and regional activities.
Before heading to DC, the Israeli leader previewed some of what he and Trump were going to discuss.
“I will present to the president our understanding of the principles of the negotiations (with Iran) – the essential principles that are important not only to Israel – but to everyone who wants peace and security in the Middle East,” Netanyahu told reporters, per the New York Post.
The administration has already bolstered its military presence in the Middle East, with multiple warships and aircraft deployed as a means of deterrence and leverage.
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