Minnesota senator Al Franken appeared on Real Time to discuss Donald Trumps unbelievably horrible week and whether Republicans finally speaking out against the president will change Trump.
Following Trumps disastrous press conferences in response to Charlottesville, GOP lawmakers like Tennessee senator Bob Corker publicly criticized Trump. Ive known for weeks that Trump is a terrible president, Franken joked.
There are a number of Republican senators who have been saying from the beginning that they have a lot of doubts about him but wont go public with that because he still has 80-some percent of his base behind him, and thats their base, Franken said. So politically, theyre unwilling to go public. And there some people who said Theres nothing good about neo-Nazis, etc. but wouldnt blame Trump.
However, Franken pledged to work in bipartisan ways to fix health care and lower pharmaceutical prices.
The senator added, This week was unbelievably horrible. It was a tragic week. But I dont think [Trump] changes.
Frankens appearance came just hours after the Trump administration parted ways with advisor Steve Bannon, the architect of the presidents nationalist views.
Is that going to make a difference? The problem with this administration is Trump, and its going to continue, Franken said. Weve heard this. When [Chief of Staff John] Kelly comes in, everything will be fine. And boom, he threatens nuclear war.
Frankens Real Time appearance marked his first time on Bill Mahers HBO show since the hosts racial slur controversy in June. The senator was scheduled to appear on Mahers first Real Time following the incident but canceled over the inappropriate and offensive slur. Franken added, however, that he considered Maher a good friend.