Latest news with #RealTimeWithBillMaher
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fact Check: US Rep. Jasmine Crockett didn't 'stun' Bill Maher during 'Real Time' interview
Claim: Stand-up comedian Bill Maher experienced a "tense exchange" during an interview with U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, on HBO's "Real Time With Bill Maher," during or prior to early May 2025. Rating: Rating: False A rumor shared online in early May 2025 claimed stand-up comedian Bill Maher experienced a "tense exchange" during an interview with U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, on HBO's political talk show "Real Time With Bill Maher," during or prior to early May 2025. For example, on May 3, the DP Insights YouTube channel posted a 24-minute video (archived) displaying the title, "Jasmine Crockett Stuns Bill Maher on Live TV with a Savage Comeback—Audience Left in Shock!" The clip's thumbnail image showed Crockett purportedly saying of Maher, "You f***ing weasel!" The video's description read: During a tense exchange on "Real Time with Bill Maher," Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett sat across from a host known for cutting guests off and controlling the narrative. But when he dismissed her with a comment about "young progressives being too emotional," the mood in the room changed fast. What came next wasn't loud, but it shook the entire set — and stunned everyone watching. This isn't just about a viral moment. It's about what happens when someone refuses to shrink, stays calm and speaks the kind of truth that leaves no space for sarcasm. As applause grew and backlash followed, one sentence kept echoing across social media and living rooms alike: "I'm not being small." However, the rumor Maher interviewed Crockett was false. The bottom of video's text description included a disclaimer specifying its content as a work of fiction, reading in part, "The stories presented on this channel are entirely fictional and crafted solely for entertainment." The first second of the video — a very quick moment — also featured a similar disclaimer. Maher has never interviewed Crockett, at least not during or prior to early May 2025. Searches of the official "Real Time With Bill Maher" website (archived), as well as Bing, DuckDuckGo, Google and Yahoo, found no credible information about her appearing as a guest on his TV show. A representative for HBO did not yet respond to an email asking if they wished to share an official statement about the matter. Crockett's office declined comment. The video's text description also displayed an "altered or synthetic content" label — a reference to the video's maker appearing to use generative artificial-intelligence (AI) tools to write the script and create the corresponding voice narration audio track. In a scan of the script, the AI-detection website Copyleaks determined a high likelihood someone used an AI tool to quickly write the full text. According to a reverse-image search, the pictures of Crockett and Maher displayed in the thumbnail image and full video originated from past interviews on MSNBC and CNN — not HBO. Maher speaks on Crockett's choice of words Separate from the false rumor, it is true that, in early March 2025, Maher at least once criticized Crockett on his show. Maher specifically took issue with the way Crockett spoke about President Donald Trump's address before Congress from March 4. During an interview with the progressive network MeidasTouch, Crockett said in part, "This is not America. This is a terrible nightmare. Somebody slap me and wake me the f*** up because I'm ready to get on with it." Later that same week, Maher, commenting on the interview clip during his March 7 show, said, "And here's Jasmine Crockett, who is, I thought, a big leader in the Democratic Party. Her quote is, 'This is a terrible nightmare. Somebody slap me and wake me the f*** up because I'm ready to get on with it.' Uh, on with what, would be my first question. And also, this is, this is the way a leader- this is how a podcaster talks, or some s***. 'F--- it, man.' Can you imagine, I don't know, Obama saying, 'Oh, man, dude. This s*** is whack. F*** it. Slap me. I'm f***ing over it.' I mean, c'mon man." For further reading, a previous fact check examined the false rumor that U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts fined Crockett $200,000. Sources: "AI Detector - Free AI Checker for ChatGPT, GPT-4, Gemini & More." Copyleaks, "TV News Archive."
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Diddy Trial: Potential Jurors Include HBO Staffer, Actor and PE Teacher — Here's How Jury Selection Works
Jury selection continued on Day 2 of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York. Nearly 50 potential jurors have been questioned over the last two days, with slightly more than half remaining in the jury pool and the rest excused for various reasons. More from Variety The potential jurors include a middle school physical education teacher, a mover who finds work on Taskrabbit and a massage therapist and actor who belongs to SAG-AFTRA and the Actors' Equity unions. There is also an HBO photo producer who has worked on marketing materials for 'The White Lotus,' 'The Last of Us' and 'Real Time With Bill Maher.' This potential juror's employment at HBO caused concern among Combs' defense team, who pointed out that the associated streamer, Max, aired a 'negative' docuseries titled 'The Fall of Diddy' from Investigation Discovery. The judge denied Combs' lawyers' application to strike the juror, but he further questioned her about her role at the company. She was not struck, but a marketing executive at Simon & Schuster was, as her bonus is tied to book sales, and the publishing house is releasing a memoir from Combs accuser Al B. Sure! later this year. The five-day jury selection process goes as follows: In the morning, a group of prospective jurors is asked to swear an oath of honest before they are given a packet of 14 yes or no questions and a list of more than 190 names and places. The questions include whether they have been the victim of a crime, whether they or anyone close to them has worked in law enforcement, and whether there is any reason they couldn't render a fair and impartial judgment. Each juror is brought before the judge and asked to explain any 'yes' answers. They are also asked if they personally know any of the names or places listed. (On the first day, the judge asked if they 'recognized' any of the names.) The jurors were also asked to fill out a questionnaire the week before arriving at court. Those questions ask what type of news and media the jurors consume, and what opinions they have about Combs and the trial based on what they have read and heard. As the judge interviews the jurors, attorneys from either side may suggest additional questions. If any of the jurors' comments raise concern about bias, the attorneys may 'apply' for them to be excused for cause. For example, one juror was excused after responding, 'P. Diddy has a lot of money' and 'could probably buy his way out of jail.' Another was struck after saying she 'leans toward [Combs] having committed the crimes' based on what she had gathered from the case. At the end of the day, the jurors who were not excused return to the courtroom for group questioning, where each person is asked about where they live, who they live with, what music and TV shows they like and more. Of the 19 jurors questioned Monday, six said they listen to hip-hop, with at least two specifically mentioning '90s hip-hop, the era in which Combs became a star. Many of the potential jurors noted that they had seen the hotel surveillance video obtained and published by CNN that allegedly depicted Combs assaulting his ex-girlfriend Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura and dragging her across the floor. CNN's copy of the video will not be used as evidence in the trial, but 'variants' of the footage will be shown to the jury. CNN's video has come up repeatedly in juror interviews, with one prospective juror saying, 'Most everybody saw the video,' adding that he believed it depicted Combs as an 'angry, hostile person who is entitled.' Meanwhile, a white-haired Combs sits in the courtroom listening to the judge speak with all of the potential jurors. Combs' trial began Monday in a Lower Manhattan courthouse overseen by Judge Arun Subramanian. Throughout the week, 150 potential jurors will be whittled down to 12 who will serve on the trial, which is expected to last at least eight weeks. Opening arguments are scheduled to begin on May 12. The rapper and Bad Boy Records founder is facing five counts, including one for racketeering, two for sex trafficking and two for transportation to engage in prostitution. If he is convicted on any or all counts, Combs could spend the rest of his life in prison. Since 2023, Combs has been hit with more than 70 civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual misconduct ranging from rape to sex trafficking. Those lawsuits are separate from the federal trial, which will likely feature testimony from high-profile figures such Ventura and other alleged victims whose names have yet to be revealed. Federal prosecutors say they have interviewed more than 50 witnesses and recovered evidence from over 100 laptops, cellphones and other electronic devices. The government looks to paint Combs as a serial abuser who led a vast criminal network held together by assistants, security guards and other employees who kept quiet for years. The charges in the indictment stem from alleged crimes that span from 2004 to 2024. Combs has denied all allegations and has insisted that all sexual activities were consensual. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Diddy Trial: Potential Jurors Include HBO Staffer, Actor and PE Teacher — Here's How Jury Selection Works
Jury selection continued on Day 2 of Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial in New York. Nearly 50 potential jurors have been questioned over the last two days, with slightly more than half remaining in the jury pool and the rest excused for various reasons. More from Variety The potential jurors include a middle school physical education teacher, a mover who finds work on Taskrabbit and a massage therapist and actor who belongs to SAG-AFTRA and the Actors' Equity unions. ADVERTISEMENT There is also an HBO photo producer who has worked on marketing materials for 'The White Lotus,' 'The Last of Us' and 'Real Time With Bill Maher.' This potential juror's employment at HBO caused concern among Combs' defense team, who pointed out that the associated streamer, Max, aired a 'negative' docuseries titled 'The Fall of Diddy' from Investigation Discovery. The judge denied Combs' lawyers' application to strike the juror, but he further questioned her about her role at the company. She was not struck, but a marketing executive at Simon & Schuster was, as her bonus is tied to book sales, and the publishing house is releasing a memoir from Combs accuser Al B. Sure! later this year. The five-day jury selection process goes as follows: In the morning, a group of prospective jurors is asked to swear an oath of honest before they are given a packet of 14 yes or no questions and a list of more than 190 names and places. The questions include whether they have been the victim of a crime, whether they or anyone close to them has worked in law enforcement, and whether there is any reason they couldn't render a fair and impartial judgment. Each juror is brought before the judge and asked to explain any 'yes' answers. They are also asked if they personally know any of the names or places listed. (On the first day, the judge asked if they 'recognized' any of the names.) The jurors were also asked to fill out a questionnaire the week before arriving at court. Those questions ask what type of news and media the jurors consume, and what opinions they have about Combs and the trial based on what they have read and heard. As the judge interviews the jurors, attorneys from either side may suggest additional questions. If any of the jurors' comments raise concern about bias, the attorneys may 'apply' for them to be excused for cause. For example, one juror was excused after responding, 'P. Diddy has a lot of money' and 'could probably buy his way out of jail.' Another was struck after saying she 'leans toward [Combs] having committed the crimes' based on what she had gathered from the case. At the end of the day, the jurors who were not excused return to the courtroom for group questioning, where each person is asked about where they live, who they live with, what music and TV shows they like and more. Of the 19 jurors questioned Monday, six said they listen to hip-hop, with at least two specifically mentioning '90s hip-hop, the era in which Combs became a star. ADVERTISEMENT Many of the potential jurors noted that they had seen the hotel surveillance video obtained and published by CNN that allegedly depicted Combs assaulting his ex-girlfriend Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura and dragging her across the floor. CNN's copy of the video will not be used as evidence in the trial, but 'variants' of the footage will be shown to the jury. CNN's video has come up repeatedly in juror interviews, with one prospective juror saying, 'Most everybody saw the video,' adding that he believed it depicted Combs as an 'angry, hostile person who is entitled.' Meanwhile, a white-haired Combs sits in the courtroom listening to the judge speak with all of the potential jurors. Combs' trial began Monday in a Lower Manhattan courthouse overseen by Judge Arun Subramanian. Throughout the week, 150 potential jurors will be whittled down to 12 who will serve on the trial, which is expected to last at least eight weeks. Opening arguments are scheduled to begin on May 12. The rapper and Bad Boy Records founder is facing five counts, including one for racketeering, two for sex trafficking and two for transportation to engage in prostitution. If he is convicted on any or all counts, Combs could spend the rest of his life in prison. Since 2023, Combs has been hit with more than 70 civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual misconduct ranging from rape to sex trafficking. Those lawsuits are separate from the federal trial, which will likely feature testimony from high-profile figures such Ventura and other alleged victims whose names have yet to be revealed. ADVERTISEMENT Federal prosecutors say they have interviewed more than 50 witnesses and recovered evidence from over 100 laptops, cellphones and other electronic devices. The government looks to paint Combs as a serial abuser who led a vast criminal network held together by assistants, security guards and other employees who kept quiet for years. The charges in the indictment stem from alleged crimes that span from 2004 to 2024. Combs has denied all allegations and has insisted that all sexual activities were consensual. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
