Real Time host Bill Maher suggested that the 57-page indictment against Mayor Adams, accusing him of soliciting illegal campaign donations from foreign entities, is "a little hard" based on the alleged crimes.
"Real Time" host Bill Maher has expressed surprise over the federal indictment of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, suggesting that the charges against him may be excessive.
During Friday night's episode of his show, Maher addressed the allegations against Adams, including soliciting illegal campaign donations from foreign entities and falsifying paper trails to cover it up.
Bill Maher Questions Severity of Charges Against NYC Mayor Eric Adams
"I'm so amazed- not that politicians can be bribed, but that they can be bribed so cheaply," Maher said.
The indictment, unsealed on Thursday, alleges that Adams defrauded taxpayers for $10 million over the past decade and frequently took free or steeply discounted vacations paid for by his foreign benefactors.
Bill Maher Questions Severity of Charges Against NYC Mayor Eric Adams
Maher's guest, author Fran Lebowitz, mocked Adams for allegedly asking for business-class airline tickets instead of first-class.
"Eric, you're stealing! First-class! Why business-class?" Lebowitz quipped.
Bill Maher Questions Severity of Charges Against NYC Mayor Eric Adams
"But for the pettiness of the crime, don't you think they're coming down on him a little hard?" Maher asked.
Lebowitz responded, "No, he's the mayor of New York. No."
Bill Maher Questions Severity of Charges Against NYC Mayor Eric Adams
Maher acknowledged that he was not excusing Adams' alleged actions but questioned the level of outrage over the charges.
"I've seen politicians do slightly worse things. Like trying to overthrow the government of the United States," Maher said.
"I don't know if it rises to this level of umbrage by everybody who is so 'shocked and horrified and this is the worst thing that has ever happened.' It's a little over the top," Maher added.
Adams has released a video statement denying the charges as "entirely false, based on lies." He has also suggested that his criticism of the Biden administration's border policies may have made him a target for retaliation.
Investigators have denied that the case is political retaliation.
Adams is accused of one count of conspiracy to receive campaign contributions from foreign nationals and to commit wire fraud and bribery, one count of wire fraud, two counts of soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals, and one count of soliciting and accepting a bribe.
If convicted of all charges, he could face up to 45 years in prison.
