Washington (CNN) – Comedian Bill Maher is putting his money where his mouth is.
The comedian and talk show host who has long railed on the weakness of the Republican presidential field announced at a stand up comedy show on Thursday that he would donate $1 million to Priorities USA Action, a pro-Obama Super PAC.
“My surprise tonight is I would like to tonight announce a donation to the Obama Super PAC—which has the very unfortunate tongue-twister name ‘Priority (sic) USA Action’,” Maher said. “I know, it was named by Borat. But tonight I would like to give that PAC one million dollars.”
The concert, which was live streamed on Yahoo!, was held in San Jose, California and was billed by Yahoo! as the first stand-up comedy concert to be streamed live online.
In a tweet after the event, Maher said the announcement was a surprise to the Yahoo! organizers.
“Thank u everybody who's hit me up after the show, and a great San Jose audience. Obama donation was a surprise to Yahoo too fyi!”
Maher, whose comedy show is called “CrazyStupidPolitics,” has not been shy about his opinions of the 2012 race and when he spoke with CNN's Anderson Cooper, he said that other than Ron Paul, the Republican candidates running for president have “horrible society killing ideas about America.”
“The rest of those people are, of course, selling their souls to the corporate interests who back them,” Maher said. “They all act like god created the world in January of 2009, and then Barack Obama completely screwed it up.”
When asked in the same interview who he thought was going to win the 2012 election, Maher quickly tapped the president as the eventual winner.
“My money is still on Mitt Romney,” said Maher when asked who the eventual Republican nominee. “And I think he’s going to get the nomination, and then I think Obama is going to beat him like a runaway sister wife, yes, I do.”
Maher’s million dollar donation will substantially boost the coffers of the Super PAC which raised only $58,815.83 in January, according to a report filed earlier in the week with the Federal Election Commission.
- CNN’s Matthew Carey contributed to this report.
Great news! Everything we can help, with small or big donations, everything counts. Let's all work together to help reelect president Obama! We need him to represent us, the less fortunate, middle class, hispanics, latinos, blacks, old, young.. pretty much everybody! 4 more years! Obama all the way! Si se puede!
i agree Willard is damaged goods and can never decide what side of the fence he should be on from day to the next!
& thank you Mr Maher!
I don't like Maher but that comment “And I think he’s going to get the nomination, and then I think Obama is going to beat him like a runaway sister wife, yes, I do.” That left me ROFL.
“The rest of those people are, of course, selling their souls to the corporate interests who back them,” Maher said.... Unlike the President of course...I mean he didn't sell out to the environmentalist (Oh wait Keystone.) or the UAW (Oh wait bailouts)..or unions in general (or wait killing the Boeing plant)..Its not like he allowed millions of dollars to go to companies whose board members and CEO's gave generously to his campaign in 08 (solyndra and other "green" energy initiatives). I mean you don't see the President and First Lady going around the country and holding campaign dinners charging $2500 a plate...because of course a democrat would never do such things
I totally agree,hey you GOP folks remember haters can't beat Lovers
Great, Sir!!! I will contribute also to the President’s re-election campaign – but I am not among the 1%. So, it will, not be nearly as much!
Hopefully, this election will show the absurdity of the money flow after this ridiculous decision of the Supreme Court and will start a COMPLEATE overhaul of the election process!
What a guy. He put up, which will do anything but make his critics shut up.
What an idiot. If this is the best Obama can do for support, he will not be reelected
Maher you are great you really understand this bull head milliner GOP
Comedy or reality
It's funny how a lot of what should be REAL news is "reported" by Bill Maher and the Daily Show.
Good for Bill.
with this lame comedian to support him, Obama simply can not lose.
Well done, Mr. Maher! This means that the Kochs and the turd blossom Rove will have to come up with more money to help Mittens.
Good luck for filing bankrupt.
This is news? Maher has always been a toad for the Democrats.
But, but, but, it's only free speech if Prince Antonin approves of it.
►Maher puts one-million dollars behind pro-Obama Super PAC◄
Add my $20 and it won't even be enough for a "snack"
But, hey, it does not matter, we have to stay in the game
And no one needs to fret because at least we know the donor's name!!
Obama 2012 – Just Because...
What I really like about Maher? Is his astute outlook at what Religion is doing to this Country. We should not be as afraid of the Government as we are Religion. To see the whole picture, and realize we're heading towards a thocracy is truly terrifying. Keep up the good work, and go President Obama. You've got my support.
THEOCRACY! God help us! LOL!
It isn't a huge surprise that Maher is backing Obama. I guess that I am a little surprised that he is giving money to the super PAC.
Love you Bill, and looove your show!
Obama 2012, all the way baby!!!
NIce move, Bill, though it's a drop in the bucket. The Koch brothers and Rmoney can find a million bucks just lookingunder their seat cushions.
Good job Bill...people can contribute too..what a concept..oh i forgot ..corporations are people.. f the GOP
very smart move....thanks.