Bill Maher says inflation isn't that bad, wages are rising and unemployment is 'negligible' - and Biden's rating are only bad 'because a lot of Americans live with their head in the toilet

HBO host and longtime political commentator Bill Maher ruffled some feathers when he claimed President Joe Biden's approval rating is underwater because most Americans don't understand the economy.

During the most recent episode of 'Real Time with Bill Maher,' the comedian delivered a closing monologue entitled 'Cheer Up,' which he used to claim that economic conditions in the US are better than Biden is being given credit.

'Why are Biden’s approval ratings so low when things are generally pretty good?' he asked.

'Now, of course there are problems: America is a big place. But wages are rising, unemployment is negligible, the stock market is soaring, we somehow brushed off both the Trump presidency and the pandemic.

'Yes, inflation persists for a lot of things, but an actual good, nice-sized TV now costs 60 bucks. Who gets credit for that? We’ve got next-day shipping, stuffed-crust pizza, legal weed, GPS and porn on the phone. Cheer the f**k up!' he told his audience.

Multi-millionaire television host, political commentator, and comedian Bill Maher, argued that inflation isn't so bad and Americans' disapproval of President Biden is predicated on failure to understand the economy

The president, who is facing a tough reelection bid in November, has a record low approval rating based partly on the poor economic conditions that are impacting American families

Maher, whose show has been airing for 20 years, is reportedly paid in excess of $6million per year for his HBO show rendering his assessment of the impacts of inflation flat. Maher also lives in a Beverly Hills mansion that he paid $2.2million for in 1998.

The 68-year-old, however, contends that Americans are merely complaining because they aren't comprehending how good they really have it.

'Stop acting like life in America in 2024 is unbearable. Biden’s ratings are in the toilet not because he’s doing such a bad job but because a lot of Americans like to live with their head in the toilet!'

Historically, the economic health of the country is a major indicator of the way a presidential election will swing.

Maher, who is famously anti-Trump, is now arguing the current administration has handled the economy fairly competently, as evidenced by recent job and wage growth figures.

Maher, whose show has been airing for 20 years, is reportedly paid in excess of $6million per year for his HBO show rendering his assessment of the impacts of inflation flat

 Maher lives in a Beverly Hills mansion that he paid $2.2million for in 1998

The 68-year-old contends that Americans are merely complaining because they aren't comprehending how good they really have it (pictured: A bedroom in Maher's home)

In reality, those figures have not quelled the anxiety of the average American family about soaring grocery prices. Despite the numbers released by the Biden administration, wage growth has not nearly caught up to the inflation rate of the last few years.

A report from late last year indicated that American families now need to spend an additional $11,4000 annually to maintain the same quality of life they had in 2021.

Instant access to naked women on their smartphones is likely not enough to offset the distress caused by the reality of their deteriorating financial circumstances, per Maher's argument. 

For those reasons, and a significant slate of others - including the incredible crisis at the southern border and the age of the man who is asking for four more years - Biden's approval rating sits at a sorry 37.4 percent.

In fact, Americans are so generally displeased with the way their quality of life has trended that Biden failed to bag the standard 3-5 point bump that typically arrives after the State of the Union address, which he delivered earlier this month.

Some polls even showed a slight decline in his approval numbers in the aftermath of his fiery, partisan speech. 

Maher, 68, on the set of his HBO show, for which he is reportedly paid at least $6million annually. Last week, he told Americans that they should cheer up because the economy isn't as bad as they think

Despite the numbers released by the Biden administration, wage growth has not nearly caught up to the inflation rate of the last few years

Maher is not a staunch defender of the current president by any means, though he is rooting for him come November.

Earlier this month, the comedian skewered Biden for his age problem, which has only become more of a visible issue as the frequency of the president's gaffes and moments of confusion increases.

'Instead of trying to refute all the "too old to be president" slams, Joe must embrace them. Stop with the "I'm sharper than ever." Nobody's buying that. Don't try to deny the age thing, lean into it. Lean in, lean in like you're eating soup,' Maher joked in early March.

'And just admit it! Say, "Yes, I'm bad with names and I walk like a toddler with full diaper, but I believe in democracy."'

He pointed out that Democratic candidates have recently become defensive about who they really are, adding that Americans can see through their insincerity.

'Be yourself! And Joe, yourself is old,' Maher said. 'You're so old you once fell down the stairs at the Underground Railroad. You're so you're so old, your bad kid with a drug problem is 54,' Maher quipped.

Since 2021 he has reportedly tripped eight times while navigating the steps of Air Force One, the presidential jet, including three times on a single flight to Atlanta.

In 2022 he fell off a bicycle after getting caught up in his pedals; in 2023 he stumbled descending a small set of steps at the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan; later that year he tripped over a sand bag and fell on stage at an Air Force academy graduation ceremony. 

And when the stairs to Air Force One were shortened last year so that he could enter the plane at a lower level, Biden tripped on them, too.