Texas Republican Rep. Wesley Hunt appeared on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher Friday night and delivered pointed remarks in defense of the U.S. military and President Donald Trump, leading to a tense exchange with host Bill Maher and political commentator Paul Begala.
Bill Maher just got steamrolled on his own show.
For years, he’s called January 6 an “insurrection” without pushback. But not this time.
Rep. @WesleyHuntTX came locked and loaded.
Maher called Trump’s military parade “vaguely fascist.” What happened next was glorious.
Hunt… pic.twitter.com/HPP5V98R59
— The Vigilant Fox (@VigilantFox) June 21, 2025
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The conversation began when Maher referred to a recent military parade commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army as “vaguely fascist.”
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In response, Hunt, a West Point graduate and former Army officer, challenged the characterization and offered a contrasting view of the event.
“You know what I saw?” Hunt said.
“I saw the President salute the Corps of Cadets as they walked past him. I watched him salute the 75th Ranger Regiment as they walked past him. I sat there and watched the fireworks behind the Washington Monument. And you know what I thought? ‘Damn. That’s absolutely outstanding.’ And it’s far better than Joe Biden checking his watch when bodies were being returned to Dover.”
On Friday night, Rep. Hunt appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher—and delivered a knockout moment.
Maher said, “Do I think it was a good idea to have a parade? No, but if you’re going to have a vaguely fascist parade, do it right.”
“You know what I saw?” Hunt responded. “I saw… pic.twitter.com/imEpy915ny
— The Vigilant Fox (@VigilantFox) June 21, 2025
Maher, known for his criticisms of both political parties, responded by thanking Hunt for his military service.
During the panel discussion, Hunt also addressed declining trust in leadership and confidence among military personnel.
He drew a sharp contrast between President Trump and Joe Biden, pointing to what he sees as stronger support for Trump within the armed forces.
“You can say what you want, but I’ve served,” Hunt said.
“And the people in my ranks overwhelmingly look at President Trump and say, ‘If I want someone to defend us and put us in harm’s way if necessary, I’d absolutely take Trump over Joe Biden.’”
The exchange took place alongside fellow guest Paul Begala, who served as chief strategist for the Clinton-Gore campaign in 1992 and remains a longtime political advisor within the Democratic Party.
Begala, confronted by Hunt’s challenge, appeared caught off guard when Hunt questioned the claim that Trump has eroded support among service members.
Hunt asked Begala why, if morale had dropped under Trump, military recruiting remained at strong levels.
Hunt wasn’t done, though. Paul Begala claimed Trump “pisses on our veterans”—then got shut down when Hunt raised this one important fact.
Paul Begala: “Trump pisses on our veterans and our military every day.”@WesleyHuntTX: “No, he does not.”
Paul Begala: “Yes, he does.”… pic.twitter.com/vFrcHWvA5V
— The Vigilant Fox (@VigilantFox) June 21, 2025
The episode aired one day before President Trump ordered a coordinated airstrike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, targeting enrichment sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
That operation, which the Pentagon has described as a targeted mission to degrade Iran’s nuclear weapons capability, has since drawn praise from several military and congressional leaders.
Hunt’s appearance on Real Time highlighted the ongoing divide between progressive commentators and conservative lawmakers on issues of military service, patriotism, and presidential leadership.
The discussion also underscored contrasting public perceptions of the military under President Trump compared to the Biden-Harris administration.
Rep. Hunt currently serves Texas’s 38th Congressional District and is a member of the House Armed Services Committee.
His remarks during Friday’s program followed multiple appearances in recent weeks where he has defended the military’s traditions and criticized what he describes as efforts to politicize national defense.
The segment concluded with Maher acknowledging Hunt’s service and offering no rebuttal to the congressman’s closing remarks.
Watch the full segment:
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