Television host Bill Maher says he has been contemplating stepping away from his long-running political talk show Real Time due to concerns over Donald Trump's second presidential term.

Maher's remarks came during a conversation with actress Jane Fonda on his Club Random podcast, during which he expressed dissatisfaction with the prevailing political climate dominated by Trump, as Fox News reports.

During the podcast, Maher voiced his apprehension about the possibility of needing to cover another term under Trump.

He suggested that the idea of Trump’s re-election was troubling enough to make him consider quitting his show altogether. Maher emphasized his exhaustion with Trump-centric news, noting that his early warnings about Trump being a "con man" went largely unheard at first.

Despite his frustration with Trump's ongoing presence in political discussions, Maher admitted a sense of boredom with the coverage that has dominated the news cycle.

"I'm bored with it," he stated, highlighting the repetitiveness of the discourse surrounding Trump.

Fonda Proposes Alternatives

Fonda, known for her activism and outspoken views, suggested that Maher might shift the focus of his show away from Trump and instead concentrate on other pressing issues. However, Maher countered her idea by explaining that politics is the central theme of his program, leaving little room for a change in focus.

The conversation also touched upon a variety of political and cultural issues where Maher and Fonda held differing opinions. One of the topics of debate was California's approach to regulation.

Fonda argued the necessity of stringent environmental regulations to combat toxic chemicals prevalent in society, to which Maher responded by sharing his views on over-regulation in the state.

Maher recounted his personal experience with bureaucratic hurdles, describing a scenario where it took three inspections to install a garage door in California. This, he suggested, was indicative of the over-regulation he perceives in the state.

Debate on Influence of Far-Left Politics

Another point of contention between Maher and Fonda involved the influence of what Maher sees as the "far left" in American culture and politics. He cited instances like the NAACP’s travel advisories and claims about men becoming pregnant as examples of this influence.

Fonda, however, dismissed these concerns, arguing that the impact of the far-left is less significant than Maher portrayed. She expressed skepticism about the significance of Maher's examples, asserting that such issues are not as widespread as he suggested.

The discussion further explored climate change, a topic on which Fonda is passionately vocal. She stressed the urgency of drastic measures to cut emissions and bolster renewable energy sources like solar and wind. Maher, expressing cynicism, critiqued what he regarded as impractical radical energy policies and questioned the doomsday predictions often associated with climate change rhetoric.

Diverging Worldviews Highlighted

Fonda and Maher's conversation underscored their fundamentally opposing views on several key issues. Maher’s skepticism about the effectiveness and feasibility of certain policies clashed with Fonda’s advocacy for immediate and transformative action.

The exchange between Maher and Fonda ultimately highlighted their deep ideological differences. As Fonda succinctly put it, their perspectives are "just so totally different."

As the dialogue wound down, both participants acknowledged the vast gap in their political and cultural outlooks. Despite their disagreements, the interaction offered a glimpse into the ongoing debate about America's political landscape and the role of media figures in shaping public discourse.

Maher's career path contemplation reflects a broader exhaustion with a political scene that remains polarized years after Trump first took office. Whether or not he will follow through with his hints at quitting remains to be seen, but the prospect signals a potential shift in the media landscape as the country approaches future elections.

The conversation with Fonda exemplified the type of candid and thought-provoking discussions for which Maher has become known, even as he grapples with questions about the future direction of his show amid turbulent political times.